Artists from around the world have created thrilling visual images for Lightscape at the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe. The one-and-one-quarter-mile outdoor illuminated trail, which is open on select dates through Jan. 8, 2023, features works in lights by artists from France, Australia, the United Kingdom, and The Netherlands.
This is the fourth year for the stunning experience of light and sound which is produced annually by the Chicago Botanic Garden in partnership with Sony Music and the United Kingdom’s Culture Creative. Tickets are sold in 15-minute increments from 4:30 p.m. to 9:15 p.m.
“It is our new holiday show and it has been a great success for us,” said Jodi Zombolo, associate vice president, Visitor Events & Programs. “Sony Music came to us and talked about this show that they have been doing in the United Kingdom at two gardens and asked if we would like to be the first place in the United States to try it. We felt that it was a really good fit.”
Zoe Bottrell, managing director and creative producer of Culture Creative, noted that her company works with international artists all year. “Work is selected for its relationship with either a story of the garden, a synergy of the garden’s landscape or a contemporary twist, or a mixture of the two,” she said.
There are several new installations at the garden this year, including the world premiere of “Spark Ballet,” which was created by French artist Pitaya.
“The installation takes its inspiration from the imagery of fantasy tales,” Bottrell said. “It evokes the poetic idea that sparks of lights have been captured in lanterns and exposed to Lightscape attendees just for the night. Each lantern is like a small theater where one can observe a small choreography of light.” She further described the effect as “an ever-changing ballet.”
Zombolo admitted that “Spark Ballet” is one of her favorite installations this year. “You walk through and it’s mesmerizing and the music with it is lovely,” she said.
Another new installation, also created by Pitaya is “Flynn.”
“Strange light objects seem to float above the ground in an ever-changing hypnotic rhythm of colors,” Bottrell explained. “The structures move slightly with the wind about the head of the attendee. The overall look of the object recalls different shapes.”
Also new this year is “Starscape” by Australian artist MandyLights.
“The 130-foot-long tunnel of more than 700 stars is programmed to create a stunning immersive experience where brilliant flashes of saturated color animate up and down the length of this beautiful installation,” Bottrell said.
“It is a light show that is very different from what you normally see,” Zombolo noted. “It’s very artistic and it changes each year. About 80% of the trail is new so if you’ve come in years past, you always need to come again because something is going to be different.”
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One popular exhibit that is returning is “The Fire Garden,” which will be in the Rose Garden this year. It has undergone changes. “It’s never the same thing twice,” Zombolo reported.
Sometimes the artists come to the Botanic Garden to install their works, other times people are hired to install the displays. “We work very closely with our own staff to be sure that where they’re placing things works for us as a garden,” Zombolo explained, so that no plantings are damaged. “It’s a big group effort.”
Zombolo said it can take anywhere from 45 to 90 minutes to travel through “Lightscape.”
“It appeals to all ages, so it’s a great family event,” Zombolo said.
Lightscape
When: through Jan. 8, 2023
Where: Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe
Tickets: $30-32 for adults; $14-$16 for children; $2 more per ticket the same day; plus $8 parking for nonmembers
Information: 847-835-6801; chicagobotanic.org
Myrna Petlicki is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.