Photo: Geoff Vivian.
The second collaboration between Illuminart and Tjaltjraak this year has cemented the Native Title group’s place as a major player in the cultural life of the Esperance community.
Bird watchers who were frequent daytime visitors to Lake Monjingup found the lake’s pathways, boardwalk and environment centre transformed into a magical storyland of lights and images.
After piling off the free bus from town, our small group was first invited to watch a video of the animated drone light show staged over Esperance Bay last March.
Guided by Hayleigh Graham we were then welcomed to country by a video of Vivicka Dabb Walker’s head projected onto the canopy of a tall tree.
Ms Graham then conducted us through a luminous night time land of sculptures, more video projections, music and voice overs, with illuminated lanterns depicting the six Noongar seasons.
A highlight of the show was inside the open shed of the environment centre, the two solid walls becoming screens for underwater videos overlaid with animated paintings and a firm message to preserve the environment.
It was the Native Title group’s idea of telling story to the wider to the wider community on their own terms.
Tjaltjraak chair Gail Reynolds said this was was part of a “great revival” of language and culture.
“Not only are we sharing with our own Aboriginal family, but we’re also sharing with our non-Aboriginal family, and friends of our organization who want to embrace culture,” she said.
“And to be able to see country come alive again and protected for all our future generations.
“These type of events bring us together and showcase a truly magnificent culture that’s been here for thousands of years and will continue to thrive into the future.”
Ms Reynolds-Adamson said they were looking forward to creating and staging more quality cultural events in the future.
There is an enormous hunger among visitors for an “authentic” Indigenous cultural experience, and I can see events of this type becoming a massive draw card for tourists.
