An incredible light show has arrived in the Aussie Outback and it rivals Vivid Sydney
When it comes to choosing a backdrop for unique Aboriginal art, nothing can rival the 300-million-year-old natural canvas of the MacDonnell Ranges in the Red Centre.
And kicking off April 5, two kilometres of the ranges, found just outside of Alice Springs, have been lit up with projected Indigenous artworks each night.
The 10-day festival of light called Parrtjima (pronounced “par-chee-ma”) is in its fourth year, with local Arrernte artists this year following the theme of Language Expressions.
They aim to tell the story of the world’s oldest living culture through art. The festival combines cutting-edge technology with ancient art practices and stories of the Arrernte people of the local region.
In fact, the festival is managed by the same team that created and developed Vivid Sydney, which these days attracts a staggering 2.3 million visitors each year. Watch the footage from this year's festival above, you'll really feel the similarities when it comes to the displays spotted throughout the outback.
“Parrtjima means shedding both light and understanding, but it’s much more. It’s the generosity and spirit of a peoples who have and always will care for country and for the many travellers who visit this timeless land,” says Parrtjima creative director Rhoda Roberts.
Roberts worked closely with a reference group of Arrernte elders who led the festival’s artistic process. She gave them options, leaving the final decision to them as to what works for an authentic experience.
This year’s festival, narrated by Alice Springs-born actor Aaron Pedersen, sees the projections bring hundreds of paintings and installations to life. There’s also incredible communal spaces, including an inflatable artwork that children are invited to jump on.
There's also plenty of opportunities to meet the artists behind the work and gain a deeper understanding of their lives and practice.
And it’s not just a light show but there’s live music, workshops and films during the 10-day festival, with shows from musicians Baker Boy and Mojo Juju and a talk from leading academic Bruce Pasco.
Parrtjima runs from April 5 to 14, and it’s a free event but visitors will need to register on their Parrtjima. Once there, you're allocated an hour block between 6.30pm-10.30pm to walk through the festival, but best advice is to get into a later show because it all looks so much more spectacular once night has firmly fallen.
