Power Plant to bring Botanic Garden into full bloom

Photo: Prudence Upton

25 SEPTEMBER 2013
ART: UK

Power Plant to bring Botanic Garden into full bloom

“A cool experience no matter what your age” - Sydney Morning Herald

The New Zealand Festival, in partnership with Contact Energy, is delighted to announce that the world famous light and sound experience Power Plant will transform the Wellington Botanic Garden for two weeks in early 2014.

While the New Zealand Festival doesn’t formally launch its programme until 23 October, the early announcement means visitors to the Botanic Garden on Tulip Sunday (29 September) can secure advance tickets to the stunning event, with tickets also available through Ticketek from Friday.

The Contact Season of Power Plant (28 Feb - 16 Mar 2014) is a brilliant collaboration between five artists who have converted public parks around the world into nocturnal magical spaces through innovative use of light and sound. Power Plant was first shown in the Botanic Gardens in Oxford in 2005, has been a hit in Edinburgh and Hong Kong, and a sell-out success in Sydney. More than a walk in the park, this spectacular array of installations has entranced audiences young and old the world over with its “sudden bursts of firefly radiance” (The Guardian). Electric flowers whirr, light insects buzz and propane-powered pyro-phones belch flames into the sky in an unforgettable feast for the senses.

The vision of five “artistic gardeners” Mark Anderson, Anne Bean, Jony Easterby, Kirsten Reynolds and Ulf Mark Pedersen, the artists respond to the natural environment of every garden they work in – creating installations that reveal the beauty and vitality of what’s already there. In April 2013, the creative team from the UK spent a week in Wellington exploring the Botanic Garden and creating a bespoke route and design for Power Plant.

Contact Energy spokesman Shaun Jones says Contact is delighted to support Power Plant and the Festival.

“While we’d love to be able to run a giant power cord from one of our power stations to the Botanic Garden, we can’t find a big enough extension cord. However, through this partnership we can provide opportunities for our community and customers to enjoy a magical experience."

New Zealand Festival’s Artistic Director Shelagh Magadza says Power Plant made a profound impression on her when she experienced it in Tasmania in 2011, “It made me feel like a kid again, reviving that child-like sense of astonishment and surprise. Wellington’s Botanic Gardens are already a wonderland of beauty in the heart of our city – Power Plant will provide an opportunity for us all to explore it afresh and enjoy a fun, nocturnal adventure with friends and family”.

Adult $30 (Friends $25) Child $15 (15 & under) and Family $55 (1 adult, 2 children)
Tickets available from Ticketek from Friday 27 September and at the Wellington Botanic Garden on Tulip Sunday 29
September (excludes booking fees)
Partnered by Contact Energy
Fri 28 Feb – Fri 7 Mar from 8.30pm; Sat 8 Mar – Sun 16 Mar 8.00pm at the Wellington Botanic Garden

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