The Nature of Things was a magical journey through nature that blended entertainment and education into a serene, immersive experience for more than 20,000 visitors. Over 10 nights of Enlighten, it transformed Glebe Park into an enchanting woodland, offering a sensory experience for all ages.
The renowned storytellers from Erth Visual and Physical Inc. brought the wonders of nature to life in a captivating way. From the moment attendees stepped into the event, they were greeted by mesmerising soundscapes, illuminations, and interactive life-sized puppet performances.
"It was fantastic to see so many Canberrans and their families make their way to Glebe Park to experience 'The Nature of Things'," said Teresa Comacchio, acting Executive Branch Manager Place Experience and Communications at the City Renewal Authority.
"Events like The Nature of Things are part of our annual Place Experience and Marketing plan, which aims to attract people into the heart of our city and connect them to our public spaces through memorable experiences.
"These events also encourage people to shop, eat, and explore what our city has to offer, providing economic benefits to our local businesses."
Fauna, a four-metre-tall puppet that guided attendees through Glebe Park three times each evening.
Erth introduced a stunning new illuminated puppet named Fauna. Each night, Fauna invited audiences to help awaken the park's secret inhabitants, including a Sumatran pygmy rhino, polar bears, an elephant and her calf, a Himalayan white tiger, koalas, sharks, and more.
A 'tree listening' experience allowed attendees to reconnect with nature by listening to trees absorbing water. This was recorded using highly sensitive microphones and a ‘plantwave’ that measured small variations in conductivity to capture the internal sounds of trees.
Tree listening experience.
The event also featured the talents of emerging young artists from the Canberra Youth Theatre, marking the third consecutive year of collaboration.
Canberrans of all ages found something to connect with at The Nature of Things.
The Nature of Things was produced by the City Renewal Authority, in collaboration with Events ACT, to expand the Enlighten Festival into the City Centre as part of Enlighten: Beyond.
We acknowledge the Ngunnawal people as traditional custodians of the ACT and recognise any other people or families with connection to the lands of the ACT and region. We acknowledge and respect their continuing culture and the contribution they make to the life of this city and this region.
