Dazzling immersive art installation to launch at Eaton Skatepark

Eaton’s new $1 million skatepark is set to provide a unique home for a dazzling digital art installation this month to commemorate the launch of a creative new event this weekend.

The Shire of Dardanup is set to launch EnLighten, a one-night-only event designed to shed light on the people, places and moments that bring happiness to the community through a playful exploration of light and digital technologies.

Created by Illuminart, the unique creation is set to tell stories using projection technology that will wrap over the sculptural forms of the skatepark, transforming it into an immersive digital landscape.

While the event suffered delays because of the impact of COVID-19 earlier in the year, Illuminart’s Cindi Drennan said the extra time allowed for more people to have the opportunity to contribute to the community project.

“Having the longer time period to prepare it was nice because we were able to get in contact with local schools and different community groups and open it up for people to contribute with a photograph via an online form,” she said.

“It’s essential to give a lot of people the opportunity to participate and have the chance to shape something like this.

“All the people around us are incredibly diverse and come from all walks of life so giving lots of people a chance to share their insight was very beneficial and be part of something bigger.”

The art installation is set to come to life on October 1 as part of a community event featuring a stacked line-up of Dinner at Dusk food trucks, live music and opportunities to connect with mental health services via market stalls.

Content for EnLighten was generated by various community groups such as Manea College graphic design students, visual arts students at South West Regional TAFE, students at Grace Christian Primary School and Dardanup Primary School, BREC’s Kick Start My Art project, Milligan House and South West Aboriginal Health Services.

Dardanup Shire president Mick Bennett said the event had been a “truly collaborative community effort” within the Bunbury-Geographe area rather than it being limited to the Shire of Dardanup.

“The finished result will be truly spectacular and I would encourage people of all ages to head into Eaton on the night for what promises to be a fantastic event,” he said.