Auckland lighting up for Diwali
Known as the Festival of Lights, Diwali signifies the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil and the renewal of life.
In celebration of this time-honoured festival, landmarks across Tāmaki Makaurau are being bathed in light during Auckland Diwali Festival, including Rangoli-inspired lighting on Te Ara I Whiti – The Lightpath and a special light and sound projection on Papatoetoe Town Hall.
Delivered by Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED), Auckland Diwali Festival includes more than 100 free activities take place at more than 30 community venues across Auckland.
The Diwali concept for Te Ara I Whiti - The Lightpath was created by Monk Mackenzie Architects and LandLAB, in association with artist Katz Maihi.
Joining the celebrations, Auckland’s award-winning cycleway and public artwork Te Ara I Whiti will light up every evening until 14 November in vibrant hues of orange, yellow and fuchsia.
The lighting display created by David Hayes, director of iion, starts by painting in the background before rhythmic patterns of colour move along the railing of the path, reminiscent of the traditional art form of Rangoli.
The shifting colour combinations finish with a washing away of colour across the length of the 850-metre path.
Part of Auckland Council’s public art collection, Te Ara I Whiti is an interactive feature of Auckland's inner-city; a whimsical and popular cycleway that cuts a path through central Auckland.
Mayor Phil Goff says, “The themes of Diwali are common to all our faiths and cultures and particularly relevant given the challenges we have united to overcome this year.
“While Diwali Festival will be celebrated differently in Auckland this year due to COVID-19, it will remain a special time to enjoy with friends and family.”
A specially created light and sound projection called Light Temple: A celebration of Diwali will transform the Papatoetoe Town Hall to tell the story of Diwali.
A specially created light and sound projection called Light Temple transforms the Papatoetoe Town Hall to tell the story of Diwali. Image credit - Creature Post.
Light Temple tells the story of Rama, Sita and their entourage returning from war and exile, with their arrival signalling the start of Diwali. The celebration in lights continues as the building becomes a canvas for intricate Hindu temple carvings. As the light show and music reach a crescendo, the building appears to break up into particles of light that slowly drift off into the night.t
The show has been created by Auckland-based multi-disciplinary creative studio Creature Post and North Foundation, with Previn Naidu creating bespoke music and sound composition for the show.
Creature Post creative director Lakshman Anandanayagam says: “It's our privilege to create a show around Diwali for the Indian community in Papatoetoe and the wider community to enjoy. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to create a large format projection work for such an iconic building; a beautiful natural canvas for video mapping. Expect to see beautiful lights and vibrant colours in this celebratory piece.”
The concept for Te Ara I Whiti - The Lightpath was created by Monk Mackenzie Architects and LandLAB, in association with artist Katz Maihi.
Maihi's six-metre-tall black metal pou (land markers) welcome people onto the path, and at the beginning of the cycleway there is a large pink Māori design that has been worked into the road surface.
During the day, the distinctive pink path adds energy and heart to its location, with a colour that represents the heartwood of a freshly cut tōtara tree. LED lights line the safety barriers and pulse as people pass by, making the path just as vibrant at night.
Te Ara I Whiti celebrates being active, allowing pedestrians and cyclists to travel from Upper Queen Street to Victoria Street West, running from Canada Street to Union Street.
The lights can be programmed to celebrate and respond to special occasions and events that happen around Tāmaki Makaurau throughout the year.
