Uluru – Northern Territory June 2016 (11 photos)
In 1992, whilst journeying to Uluru through the Red Desert in Central Australia, English artist Bruce Munro felt a compelling connection to the energy, heat and brightness of the desert landscape, which he recorded in his ever present sketchbooks. The Field of Light is the embodiment of this experience. Munro recalls “I wanted to create an illuminated field of stems that, like the dormant seed in a dry desert, would burst into bloom at dusk with gentle rhythms of light under a blazing blanket of stars”.
I isolated the detail in this art installation from up close.
Having developed the idea for over a decade, the first Field of Light was created in the field behind Munro’s family home in Wiltshire. The Field of Light has since appeared at sites across the United Kingdom, the United States and Mexico.
Naturally enough, Munro was eventually asked to bring his Field of Light back to where it was conceived, Uluru, or Ayer’s Rock as it is still known to some. Of this, Munro said, “I now have the honour and privilege of returning to create an iteration of this artwork for the place that inspired it. A work conceived in the red desert returns to its birthplace springing from the dry ground.”
This version of the installation is Munro’s largest ever with more than 50,000 stems crowned with frosted-glass spheres that bloom as darkness falls over Australia’s spiritual heartland. Pathways draw viewers into the installation, which comes to life under the vast outback sky. The colour of the lights regularly change. It is also the first time the installation has been completely solar powered. The exhibition, named ‘Tili Wiru Tjuta Nyakutjaku’ or ‘looking at lots of beautiful lights’ in the local Pitjantjatjara language, is in place for a full year until March 31, 2017.
Regular readers will know that I took a holiday just before Vivid ended. It may surprise you to know that I flew out to Uluru to meet up with a professional landscape photographer. In an attempt to broaden my photographic repertoire I undertook some professional tuition, on-location. The best way to learn in reality, and it made for a nice holiday; if you consider getting up well before dawn every morning to get to the best locations for the right light being on holiday.
Most of the tours to the Field of Light go at night time, for the lights. However, we had special permission to access the installation from more than 1 hour before dawn. In essence, we had the entire installation to ourselves. Landscape photography is all about the detail and planning and plenty of that was done well beforehand.
With the blessing of the local Anangu people, a section of bushland was burnt to allow for building of this light installation. I wonder if anyone thought at the time, “If you build it, they will come.”
In reality, Uluru is a fantastic sight in any light. It has a special and spiritual significance to the local Anangu. It embodies the concept of infinity. Long after we have gone the way of the dodo, it will still be there.
“If you build it, he will come.”
….
Speaking of light …
My yearly review of Vivid is now completed. 137 photos in 8 posts. All of my photography from this year and previous years of VIVID Sydney going back to 2012 can be found here:
VIVID Sydney page
So, that’s where you were hiding. A big place for a dragon 🐉 I should say 😉. Such a beautiful landscape and so beautifully captured.
Thanks. Yes, plenty of room for me to hide or become lost.
Once again, sitting here with my morning coffee, you take me to a place full of magic and light. So happy to have found you in the blogging world!
Thank you, as always. Australia is a vast country. Plenty to explore and add to the bucket list. I’m happy to show you what I can.
An amazing exhibit in the heart of Australia. What an amazing sight, and what an opportunity to have the space for yourselves before dawn. Very lucky that you got a beautiful sunrise. Brilliant pink sky. Certainly worth the wake up. Well done on that, and of course the photography 🙂
Most tourists are in tour groups at Uluru. Their schedules are dictated by the bus companies. It was a key point of this workshop that we would have special access to the National Park because of our official Media designation. And of course, Nature played her part as well. The light was magical. 🙂
Oh my gosh! This looks so amazing and magical. No other words…
P.S. Your dedication to photography is inspiring 🙂
Uluru is certainly worth a visit one day. It glows at sunrise and sunset. Magical is completely correct.
Thank you very much. I learned a lot from the expert, but the real key to better photos is photographing interesting things which is why I did this. 🙂
I guess I may need to plan a visit to this magical place 🙂
Indeed, you should.
Wow, stunning – and must have been incredible to be there. Thanks for the info about it, lovely to know it was done with agreement of the traditional custodians.
This was the second time I have been to Uluru. It is not possible to tire of its beauty and it’s significance. Without the traditional owner’s permission, I doubt this installation would have occurred. They care about and for the land.
How nice of the pink hues to dance through the clouds for you! Magical photos of Uluru; simply magical.
Thank you very much. As our tutor said, from a landscape photography perspective, blue sky is boring. Those clouds appeared overnight, as if on cue. I’m grateful for that. 🙂
The dragon hangs out in some very colorful places 😉
I was tempted to state that this was not a post about Vivid. Uluru absolutely glows at sunrise and sunset. It’s a brilliant display.
That is truly a magnificent light display!
Thank you. Natural and artificial light gave us the best of both worlds that morning. 🙂
This is certainly an amazing concept and light display
Definitely. There are some very creative people out there. It was such a beautiful sight.
Congratulations on a stunning series! This one is my favorite!! Bravissimo!
Thank you very much. That is saying a lot given there is no water in these photos, but then I remember your love for clouds. I may have some more for you later. 🙂
Just saw this on the artist’s website:
June 3, 2017 to November 5, 2017
Planned for Summer 2017 Bruce Munro will be presenting his eighth solo garden exhibition in the US at Nicholas Conservatory and Garden, Rockford, Illinois.
Munro will be exhibiting eight interior and exterior artworks including Water-Towers, Field of Light and Blooms. The exhibition will also include several pieces not shown in the US before including an artwork inspired by the ubiquitous pink flamingo and a monumental sun rising in the glass conservatory.
I look forward to seeing your report on this. 🙂
Beautiful photography…but a little disturbing. I have heard, although many years ago, that on moonless nights near Uluru it was so dark and the Milky Way so bright as to provide enough light to cast a shadow. Perhaps a myth but it is a little surprising that the local people would allow the lights to intrude. Very beautiful as long as I put those thoughts out of my mind. 🙂
I can’t answer you about the shadows from the milky Way on a moonless night since I was there this time during full moon. But even with a full moon, the milky way was incredibly bright ( to this city dweller).
This light display was in a clearing well away from Uluru and far from the dawn and sunset viewing spots. The locals understand the importance of tourism so that may be why they were eager to embrace it.
Thank you. Yes, your photographs show that it is away from Uluru and it was good that the local people were consulted and approved.
Consultation – as it should be.
I just found out the field of light is about 5km away from Uluru.
And certainly not intrusive like a parking lot full of security lights. Thanks for the update.
My pleasure. Mic.
Superb photographs Mr Dragon of an incredible installation. Thank you for sharing! 🙂
Thank you very much. It was truly a sight to behold; both the natural light and the art lights. The clouds caught the intense dawn light fabulously.
Amazing again. Without you we have no possibility to see, or even know, about these great installations. This Uluru is the best of all, thinking the place, it’s history, the desert, it is like a honour to this place.
The land in this area is almost completely flat. Uluru and 2 other rock formations tower over everything else and they catch the light in spectacular ways. Uluru actually glows. It truly is an spectacular sight.
A magical place! Thank you for sharing 🙂
Thank you very much. I’m glad I can show it to you.
Fabulous photos. The one of the Sydney Opera House took me back to the early ’70s when I lived with a view of it across the water! But it didn’t look like that in those days. What a great projection design for it.
Thank you very much. This was the 8th year they held Vivid and the 5th year I’ve photographed it. One never gets tired of it. 🙂
C’est magnifique Draco !
Merci beaucoup. Thank you so much. 🙂
You are taking photograph to new heights, Dragon! It has to be challenging to photo these lights. It looks awesome on my big monitor. 🙂
l Can’t imagine how it’s like to be there…
New heights? That will be a later post, Amy. 🙂
Thank you very much. The real life experience is so much more immersive and spectacular. A joy to be there.
Such a joy of taking the virtual tour with you, Dragon! 🙂 Thank you again.
Was it cold up there?
My pleasure. On one morning it was 1 degree celsius, but colder with the wind chill. All in a day’s work/holiday. 🙂
Passion shown! NG is waiting… 🙂
LOL Perhaps 🙂
Truly magnificent color and light, Lignum!
Thank you, Lisa. It was definitely worth the effort of getting up before dawn. Have a wonderful weekend ahead. 🙂
So this was your secret mission. Such a breathtaking view. Your photos, as always, are superb. Mission accomplished. 😀
Thank you very much, Julie. Uluru is a photographer’s delight and meeting with local aboriginal people talking about the land, one understands their love and attachment for it.
spectacular, beautiful capture.
Thank you very much.
This is so cool. Love these images!
Thank you very much, Edith.
Wow what an experience Lignum!!! You’ve captured it so beautifully and the sky complemented the event so well. Fantastic!!!
Thanks, Norma. The clouds to the east went an intense red as the sun rose. It was a sensational display overall.
Oh Draco, what a sight! That is simply one of the most beautiful installations working with the landscape that I have seen. So glad you were able to document it from before dawn to show us the changing lights, both natural and art, of Uluru 😀
Thanks so much, Sarah. Uluru is breathtaking enough on it’s own. With the dawn, Uluru started to glow. The clouds caught the red dawn light beautifully. The art complemented it all. Bruce Munro’s vision seemed so clear. That was a magical dawn to experience.
And magical looking through your photos!! My mum thinks we should do a similar light installation by one of the Tors on Dartmoor. I don’t think she quite realised the extent of lighting and design involved in the Uluru project 😉 I think though that that is in testament to just how beautifully it works within the environment! I would adore to watch the sun rise there even without the added art. The magic of the light catching the rock and making the landscape glow is quite something! You can easily understood why it’s such an important place to the aboriginal people of Australia.
This one is Munro’s largest version at about 49000 square metres. But it still pales compared to Uluru 5km away. That particular morning was cloudy which made the dawn photography fantastic. If it had been clear, the stars would have been visible giving it a completely different and equally stunning look. Yes, you’re right. It works beautifully with the environment and the creativity to envision and design this was great. It was a fabulous experience.
Wow Wow Wow! Absolutely breathtaking. You say there was an exhibit in the U.S. but I’ve never heard of it. Another thing I’ve missed! 😛 Your photos are so amazing.
Thank you very much. It was worth the trip to see this. Perhaps it will return to the US one day.
How fascinating and beautiful. I prefer them in the soft dawn light – a jewel-like flower bed. And what a backdrop! I hope you are going to share more landscapes with us from your ‘working’ holiday. I have been fortunate to see Uluru and it is a remarkable region,
And I also love that last photo of the opera house.
Thanks very much, Jude. If I had one more night, I would have liked to have seen the display underneath clear skies showing a full view of the Milky Way. But I can’t complain about that red dawn.
I’m glad you’ve seen Uluru for yourself. It truly is a grand sight. I’m sure I have more shots to show. 🙂 Have a wonderful weekend.
Oh this looks as stunning as it promised to be. Fabulous shots.
Thank you. A fabulous concept for artwork against a magnificent beautiful natural backdrop. A win-win situation. 🙂
What a fabulous post! Uluru is such a special place. And those lights .. So you took lessons? What a great thing to do! Not that you need to .. Love your work Mr Draco
Thanks so much, Julie. I dare say I learnt quite a bit and had fun doing it despite the sleep deprivation.
Oh how I wish I could have visited this place. This place is known to be beautiful, but with your talented eye it is even more MAGNIFICENT than I had imagined
Thanks, Lisa. Australia is a big place as you know, so I understand you can’t see everything in a few months, just as I haven’t seen everything in many years. 😉 Save it for your next trip maybe? After you get Australian residential status? 🙂
😀 I do hope to be back. 9 months just wasn’t long enough. Bit while I am elsewhere, I can continue to enjoy Australia through your lens 🇦🇺- written at sea 24 July
“9 months just wasn’t long enough” LOL 🙂 Enjoy your travels.
The magnitude of that light installation at Uluru is massive. I bet it was impressive in person. And I’ve always loved how the rock takes on different hues in the changing light.
That was a fabulous morning. We weren’t told where we were going when we got in the car at 5:30 am but I had a suspicion. The dawn light caught in the clouds was truly beautiful, to rival Uluru.
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Simply stunning images …
Beautiful post 🙂
Thank you.
Just beautiful. By the way, I love the header photo of the older woman lost in thought, hand raised, by a train or bus station mat. It suggests a crossroads to be decided and it is a perfect travelogue header.
Thanks. That one was from one of my early posts. She was standing at the bus stop reading the timetable.
Wow, this is so attractive…I want one of these fields of glowing flowers in my backyard too! I’m sure they would go well with the little glowy creatures in the tree!! 😀 Such a clever idea this multitude of colourful lights!
I suppose if your local hardware store sells coloured solar garden lights, you’ve got the beginnings of your own art installation. 🙂
Bruce Munro is English and has a website which updates his future light installation locations. Keep an eye out for a return local installation one day.
A real spectacle,a glorious artwork Draco!Your phenomenal photography enhanced the beauty of the fields of light.Most inspiring and astonishing work.It’s also interesting for us to know that all lights use solar energy.Thank you for all the commentaries under each photo,”Your Words Have Light too … “.
You’re very kind. Thank you so much. 🙂
It’s an amazing display to witness and the dawn light caught by the clouds was an added feast for the eyes.
una sola parola:
incredibileeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
🙂 🙂 🙂
way Kewl 🙂 luv it ❤
Thank you.
What an incredibly magical sight! And brilliantly captured. Thanks for sharing Draco.
My pleasure. Thanks for the visit.
Such superb captures, it is a pleasure to visit your site every time….
Thank you very much.
Looks awesome. 🙂
Thanks.
Thanks for sharing 🙂