Meagan Streader: The Weight of Light

Overview

Until September 23, the Spring Hill Reservoir won't just be an old source of the city's water. It'll also be a luminous, otherworldly playground. Artist Meagan Streader has descended down the site's stairs, one whole kilometre of electroluminescent wire in hand, and turned its darkened depths into something glowing and magical.

Called The Weight of Light, and open Monday to Saturday, the installation plays with the original boundaries of the space, tracing its architectural features using lines of light. The end result proves a re-interpretation of a historical landmark, as well as an enticing, mesmerising playground calling for visitors to explore — and quite the bright example of the past meeting the future.

In total, Streader hand-made 170 custom brackets to thread the wire along the heritage-listed reservoir walls while keeping them intact, an important task given that the site was used for Brisbane's water from 1871 until 1962. And if you're wondering why — other than the best answer, why not? — the piece forms part of a bigger effort by McCarthy-Swann Projects, which aims to use intangible materials to turn public spaces into examples of wonder, fascination and art.

Image: Louis Lim.