Trees, birds and bugs take over Parliament House during Enlighten
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Trees, birds and bugs—oh my! Australian Parliament House will come alive with a celebration of the natural ecosystem, and a series of exclusive events, during Enlighten.
The iconic façade of Australian Parliament House will be illuminated with a series of colourful animations featuring the trees, birds and bugs on Capital Hill in a unique work by acclaimed Canberra designers Eggpicnic.
The illuminations celebrate the diversity of the natural ecosystem in the Parliamentary landscape, created specifically for Enlighten 2023.
“Our animation features the changing seasons of Canberra and the species found in the gardens of Parliament House, including critically endangered and future endangered birds”, say Eggpicnic artists and birders Camila De Gregorio and Chris Macaluso.
“It is a bucket list moment to have our work projected on one of Australia’s most iconic buildings and to give the animals the loudest voice.”
To create scenes that move through each of Canberra’s four seasons, Eggpicnic researched species of birds and insects that inhabit the gardens in the Parliamentary landscape. Each is represented with accuracy in colouring and the time of year they can be found.
Species of birds include the Australian Magpie, Red Wattlebird and Crimson Rosella (spring); the Superb Parrot, Galah and Superb Fairy Wren (summer); the Swift Parrot, Eastern Roselle and Spotted Pardalote (Autumn); and Australian King Parrots and Gang-gang Cockatoos (winter).
In collaboration with Canberra-based ecologist Dr. Michael Mulvaney, Eggpicnic captured the subtle changes of the background Brittle Gums throughout the seasons and unveil the insects that rely on the flowering gums.
As a special feature of the 2023 Enlighten projection at Australian Parliament House, Eggpicnic collaborated with ABC journalist and ‘nature nerd’, Dr Ann Jones and music composer and producer Corey Hague to produce an original soundscape which will accompany the illumination.
The soundscape features birdsong of the species in flight and brings the joyful sensory experience of encountering birds in the gardens to life in the projections.
Enlighten Illuminations will light up the front façade of Australian Parliament House from Friday 3 – Monday 13 March, from 8 pm to 11 pm each night.
Exclusive Enlighten Experiences
Eggpicnic Art Workshop
Image: 5 Foot Photography
On Friday 3 or 10 March, the general public will have the rare opportunity to join Eggpicnic in a friendly art making session. With Parliament House as a stunning backdrop, participants can create their own artwork inspired by the surrounding nature.
Parliament House degustation dinner
Image: Pew Pew Studio
If your tastes run more to the culinary arts, join Parliament House’s Executive Chef, David Learmonth, in a six-course celebration of Australian master producers, featuring expert cheesemakers and Australia’s finest sustainable produce with the option of paired wines.
For one night only, Friday 10 March, the evening will start on the Members and Guests Dining Room Terrace where guests can take in the colours of Enlighten and sweeping views of Canberra while they enjoy a pre-dinner glass of sparkling wine.
The night will end with the signature dessert that has followed Learmonth throughout his career, the perfect dish to end summer and welcome autumn.
Feature image: 5 Foot Photography
