Over the past week, Te Kararo Queenstown Gardens has been transformed by artists, sound technicians and volunteers in preparation for Luma Southern Light Project 2023, now in its eighth year.
What started as a pilot project has morphed into one of Queenstown’s most-loved and popular annual events — one which has had to adapt over the past couple of years.
In 2020, it changed to "Lumify", when residents were encouraged to light up their own homes, and last year it was "Lumify Laneways", which focused on the CBD instead of the Gardens.
Organising committee chairman Duncan Forsyth said the 2023 event had moved "10 steps forward" since it was last in the gardens, in 2021, and promised a "light, sculptural, performance and musical festival".
"It’s a full sensory experience — this is much more of a show than a gallery.
"Our intention is for people to get transported to a different planet and get lost in a different world.
"Everywhere you go, you’ll have a different sensory experience."
This year, more than 100 artists are involved, including about 35 performers.
Two of those, Dunedin opera singer Calla Knudson and Queenstown teenager Billie Carey, a singer-songwriter, were selected as part of Luma’s emerging artists programme, established in 2018.
While previously the focus of that programme had been on sculpture or design, this year the artists were selected for their musical talents.
For the second time, there would be a charge for those aged 12 and over to enter — up to $25 from $5 in 2021 — but free tickets had been supplied to social agencies for Queenstown residents who were financially struggling.
Mr Forsyth said the higher ticket price was in part because funding had become harder to come by, but it was also time to pay artists and suppliers who had previously donated their services.
"The question for people is, how on earth have we managed to put on an international festival up until now for the same price as going to the movies, or your A&P Show?"
Another reason for the cost increase was because nightly numbers were being limited to between 10,000 and 12,000, and adding an extra night.
Luma runs from 5pm-10pm from tonight until Monday, with free park-and-ride transport, via Orbus, from Frankton.
