Listening to physicists talk about the nature of light will, for some of us, result in glazed eyes and a headache. However, place the phenomena of light in the hands of artists and the result will always be enjoyable.
You can put this claim to the test yourself by visiting Wyndham City’s 2025 LIT festival. This free event transforms the green heart of Werribee into an immersive world of large-scale, light-based art installations, projections and interactive experiences.
The festival, first launched in 2021, is quickly establishing its place in the West’s arts scene. Last year LIT brought home to Wyndham City the National Award for Creativity & Culture at the National Local Government Awards in Canberra. A very big tick for the in-house curatorial team who work with local, national and international artists to pull together each year’s program. This year’s theme ‘Grounded’ was inspired by Wyndham Park’s natural setting along and around the Werribee River and sees artists explore the connection between humanity, nature and community. Deliberately broad in its scope, artists are given free range to use the medium of light to go wherever inspiration takes them.
Wyndham City has commissioned local multidisciplinary artist Ariadne Concha to headline the bill for LIT 2025. Ariadne’s twelve designs called Presence Passage are an illuminated journey with illustrations, characters and detailed storytelling inviting reflection, asking audiences to pause, connect and rediscover their own sense of balance.
Examples of other works by other local, national and international artists include:
Giant iridescent bubbles radiating light and sound.
Towering sculptures inspired by Australian wildflowers aglow with warm hues.
The Kaurna Skink, a 27-metre high light installation enriched by cultural soundscapes.
The debut of two new installations, one where audiences can create and interact with holographic projections of themselves, another where audience members can become part of the artwork.
Crystal like flowers trailing light and reflections.
A children’s slide with projections designed by local grade 3 & 4 students.
Illuminated lantern creatures of the night.
Three illuminated archway entrances that connect Werribee’s streets to the event site.
The LIT festival has been enjoying year on year growth in audience numbers and Wyndham City reports that around 80,000 people from near and far attended last year’s event.
“By combining cutting edge lighting technologies blended with whimsical and ethereal experiences, the event appeals to a wide audience and transcends age and cultures to provide an experience that anyone can enjoy,” a council spokesperson says. “We commission local artists to showcase diverse talent and embed place-based storytelling, enriching the LIT experience. This approach strengthens community connections, encourages participation.”
Those who attend LIT will find the visit pleasantly free of commercialisation. There isn’t the hard sell to buy merch that, frankly, we can easily live without. Nor are there food vans and stalls to be found on site. Their absence in the park is due to a decision by council to see visitors make use of the local cafes and restaurants instead, thereby reducing food packaging waste.
With a further eye on sustainability, Wyndham Park operates on 100% renewable wind energy. Light installations use low-voltage power where possible. Handouts and printed materials make way for QR codes.
It’s all about letting a large and diverse local community and its many visitors find and share a moment in common.
So, worry not if light is more wave than particle or more particle than wave, head off instead to Wyndham City’s LIT festival and be amazed by the things that some people can do with it.
From Thursday to Sunday until April 13.
For more information, visit: wyndham.vic.gov.au/LIT
