Overview
Plenty of Australian cities boast radiant arts and culture festivals that light up their streets and spaces, from Vivid Sydney and Rising in Melbourne through to Brisbane Festival's luminous displays and 2021 newcomer Illuminate Adelaide. But Parrtjima - A Festival In Light takes the whole concept to several different levels — celebrating Indigenous arts, culture, music and storytelling, including via an eye-catching array of light installations, in Alice Springs and against a 2.5-kilometre stretch of the majestic, 300-million-year-old MacDonnell Ranges.
It's the type of event to add to your travel bucket list, and it's bringing its dazzling presence back again in 2022 — between Friday, April 8–Sunday, April 17. And, if you're wondering exactly what'll be brightening up the already striking Red Centre, Parrtjima has just announced its full lineup.
As always, the event will take over Alice Springs CBD's Alice Springs Todd Mall, as well as tourism and conservation facility Alice Springs Desert Park Precinct just out of town — and the festival's main annual attraction, aka a huge artwork that showers the MacDonnell Ranges with light each night of the festival, is definitely on the bill. When it comes to staring at the stunning natural landmark, expect a 'desert of light experience, as Parrtjima is dubbing it. If you've seen images from past festivals, you'll instantly spot why that description is accurate.
Grounded, which turns traditional and contemporary stories into a projected animation — complete with an immersive soundscape — will return this year as well, after consistently proving a crowd favourite.
Artists' impression: Farron Jampitjinpa Furber (Budgerigar Dreaming)
Also on the installation lineup for 2022: Water Tree, a piece inspired by the artwork of Karen Napaljarri Barnes that uses acrylic glass to replicate the sight of thousands of budgerigars flocking together, and will be strung across four archways; plus Flight, similarly going with budgies, this time featuring artwork by Farron Jampitjinpa Furber printed on sheer fabric spears to represent the birds' journey along the Lander River.
Or, you can look forward to scoping out Eagle's Eye, which takes inspiration from irretye (the wedge-tailed eagle) constellation, and brings a tunnel to life with animation of works by Jeannie Nungarrayi Egan — as well as Wild Wind, by Raelene Ngala Williams, which uses her artwork to celebrate the stories of the whirly whirly through a series of floating and moving structures. There's also the Bindi Mwerre Anthurre Artists' Energy, comprised of eight static bikes and wheelchairs, which attendees jump on and spin the pedals to illuminate and revolve the artworks. And, the 15-metre-high Night Sky, as created in collaboration with artist Carmen Glynn-Braun and Common Ground, is filled with 1200 glowing orbs that are suspended to look like a blanket of stars.
Artists' impression: Carmen Glynn-Braun (Dreamy)
From the rest of Parrtjima's ten-night lineup, there'll also be live tunes from Dan Sultan, King Stingray, BARKAA, Black Rock Band and Jimblah. Plus, some of the musicians on the bill will also participate in the talks program, which includes Black Comedy's Steven Oliver, and Parrtjima artists Carmen Glynn-Braun and Raelene Ngala Williams as well.
And, film-wise, the work of Sweet Country, The Beach, Firebite and Samson and Delilah filmmaker Warwick Thornton will be in the spotlight.
Of course, Parrtjima is just one of Northern Territory's two glowing attractions in 2022, with Australia's Red Centre lighting up in multiple ways. The festival is a nice supplement to Bruce Munro's Field of Light installation, which — after multiple extensions — is now on display indefinitely.
Parrtjima – A Festival in Light runs from April 8–17, 2022 around Alice Springs in the Northern Territory. For more information or to book tickets, visit the festival website.
Top image: artists' impressions: Raelene Ngala Williams (Walpa Pulka – Whirly Wind) / Jeannie Nungarrayi Egan – (Rain Dreaming, Budgerigar Dreaming, Bush Tobacco Dreaming, Native Fuchsia Dreaming and Ceremonial Pole Dreaming).