Parrtjima light festival to illuminate Melbourne's Federation Square

Expanding its reach, The Red Centre’s visually spectacular Aboriginal light festival, Parrtjima will for the first time be offered as an immersive light installation outside of the Territory.

Travelling to Melbourne’s Federation Square for two nights only, Parrtjima will present its Grounded installation from 10th -11th March, while this year’s festival will take place in Alice Springs from 7th-16th April.

The only authentic Aboriginal light festival of its kind, Parrtjima is delivered by Northern Territory Major Events Company (NTMEC) on behalf of the Northern Territory Government, and is produced by Creative Directors AGB Events. The Grounded activation is being delivered in partnership with the Melbourne Arts Precinct Corporation (MAP Co).

Grounded transforms Indigenous artworks and stories into a large-scale animated sequence that is projected onto the ground, accompanied by an immersive, atmospheric soundscape.

A vibrant, seamless canvas projected on Country in Alice Springs (Mparntwe), Grounded encourages people (especially children) to interact with the installation, to step in and become a piece of the stunning art, and discover the Dreamtime stories and song lines presented by the artists.

The Grounded activation will feature the work of 12 artists who have participated in Parrtjima from a range of art centres. Artists include Sharon Alice, Marina Pumani Brown, Anne Dixon, Hannah Nungarrayi, Serena Hayes, Annette Nungala, Roseanna Larry, Mary James, June Smith, Corban Clause Williams, Cassaria Young Hogan and Isaac Girrabul.

The soundscapes were composed by Damian Robinson, Wicked Beat Sound System and Rhyan Clapham, aka DOBBY.

NTMEC Chief Executive Suzana Bishop said she couldn’t be more excited to showcase Grounded at Melbourne, ahead of the festival’s opening in Alice Springs.

Bishop shared “Parrtjima is a truly moving and magical experience for everyone. Aside from large-scale light installations, like Grounded, we have a great program of music, talks, workshops and film all heralding Australia’s Indigenous artists, leaders and people. Everyone in Melbourne can now experience a piece of Parrtjima and see first-hand what the magic is all about!”

Parrtjima Curator Rhoda Roberts AO is delighted Melbournians will be able to enjoy the first- ever experience of Parrtjima outside of the Territory and enthuses “It is wonderful to expand the reach of the Parrtjima Festival and give additional exposure to the amazing Aboriginal artists who contribute every year.

“The festival is a wonderful public event and it is also very significant in helping provide economic pathways for our Indigenous artists. Grounded is an exciting and contemporary way to enjoy Aboriginal art. It’s experiential and engaging and people respond really well to that.”

Melbourne Arts Precinct Corporation Director of Programming & Interpretation Sarah Tutton added “we’re delighted to be partnering with Parrtjima to bring a piece of the festival to the people of Melbourne, in the heart of our city. Illuminating the stunning architecture of Fed Square, Grounded will bathe the landmark’s iconic sandstones in mesmerising light and immerse locals in a taste of the Territory.”

For more information on the Grounded installation at Fed Square, running from 10th-11th March evenings, visit fedsquare.com/events/parrtjima-a-festival-in-light

For more information on Parrtjima, visit parrtjimaaustralia.com.au/

Image: A render of Grounded at Fed Square in Melbourne