Saturday, 27 July 2019

Light entertainment a hit with shoppers

    By John Lewis
    1. News
    2. Dunedin
    2 Comments

    Angus Muir said, "Let there be light".

    And at 5pm yesterday, a big switch was flicked and George St in Dunedin lit up like Las Vegas.

    Like moths to a porch light, hundreds of Dunedin residents gathered to bask in the glow of interactive light and sound displays, stunning art installations and live performances in the main street between St Andrew and Hanover Sts, in Albion Pl and inside the malls.

    The art installations, curated by Mr Muir, have been displayed all over the world, including in Jerusalem, Singapore and recently at Bright Nights in Auckland.

    Logan Elliott (left) and Andy Wilkinson, both of Wellington, entertain a large crowd at the Glow...
    Logan Elliott (left) and Andy Wilkinson, both of Wellington, entertain a large crowd at the Glow Festival in Dunedin last night. PHOTOS: GREGOR RICHARDSON
    While the partial closure of George St has drawn both scepticism and support from business owners there, shoppers praised the initiative.

    Kerri Pink, of Dunedin, said the lights were "flamboyant and spectacular".

    "I think it's beautiful to have this interactive lighting in the city centre - especially for families. The kids love it.

    Ophelia Pink (9, left) and Amy Munro (8) play among the luminations in George St last night.
    Ophelia Pink (9, left) and Amy Munro (8) play among the luminations in George St last night.
    "It's brought a lot of people to town that wouldn't normally come to town on a Friday night."

    The event is co-ordinated by the Dunedin City Council in collaboration with the George St malls, and is part of a trial of the central city plan preliminary concept, which is looking to turn the block between St Andrew St and Hanover St into a vibrant shared space.

    It is the first of several trials and activities planned for the area over the next three years.

    The mesmerising street transformation will continue today and tomorrow, between 5pm and 9pm.

    2 Comments

    Comments

    nivaman Sat, 27/07/2019 - 2:11pm

    "Light entertainment a hit with shoppers" define 'a hit with shoppers'.
    The people who like this idea will be there, the people who don't like this idea won't be so of course if you talk to the people there they will say positive things about it.

    KeithMcC Sun, 28/07/2019 - 11:39am

    Can DCC be honest enough to tell ratepayers exactly how much they have budgeted for their trials and activities over the next few years? I know these wastrels think little of pouring money down the drain, but people should be fully aware how much is being spent to convince us that George st as a mall will be a good idea.

    By the look of the photo very few people visited on Friday night. I just hope shop owners haven't lost too much business.

     

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