March 17, 2022
Following the success of Fremantle Biennale’s inaugural First Lights with Moombaki in 2021, our fleet will take flight to Darwin Festival in 2022, illuminating the night sky to share ancient stories of place and Larrakia culture.
A new choreographed drone light show, First Lights: balarr inyiny, meaning light dreaming, will be led by Darwin local and Larrakia artist Jenna Lee and supported by elders from the Larrakia community, with cinematic sound created by music producer Kuya James and composer Lena Kellie.
The large-scale contemporary artform involves choreographing a fleet of nearly 200 drones with powerful LED lights through specialist 3D animation techniques, alongside a cinematic soundscape to create an immersive light performance, free and accessible for all.
Commissioned by the Fremantle Biennale and co-presented with Darwin Festival, First Lights: balarr inyiny will illuminate the skies over Jervois Park, Darwin for the final three nights of the festival from 19 – 21 August.
For more information on balarr inyiny for Darwin Festival visit the project page here.
Image: Ilona McGuire, Moombaki, 2021, Derbarl Nara (Coogee Beach). Courtesy the artist and Fremantle Biennale. Photo: Duncan Wright.