A vibrant display of lights, contemporary dance performances and interactive installations will return to Brisbane’s City Botanic Gardens from the 12th to the 21st of May.
City Planning Chair Councillor Adam Allan invited families to attend Botanica: Contemporary Art Outside for a free and affordable event the whole family can enjoy.
“Botanica is an event that suits all ages, abilities, families and budgets,” Cr Allan said.
“This is the fifth year of the much-loved art exhibition, and we have 10 installations ready to amaze residents and visitors.
“With after-dark walks, night explorer children’s tours and performances every evening, there’s so much to see and do.
“We want to ensure this is an event for everyone and our After-Dark Art Walks (AUSLAN) invites people with hearing impairments to discover the marvellous artworks on a 60-minute guided tour.
“For the first time there are two artworks in Botanica which are completely participatory, which means visitors can engage and play with the works.”
Community, Arts and Nighttime Economy Chair Councillor Vicki Howard said Botanica had been created to develop opportunities for talented local artists and boost the local economy.
“Brisbane has a rich creative scene, and 10 Australian artists will be exhibiting work in this exhibition,” Cr Howard said.
“For the first time, we have one international artist exhibiting her work and I can’t wait to see the final piece.
“There will also be a range of delicious and affordable food trucks, which will delight even the fussiest of eaters.”
Botanica Curator, Lucy Quinn, said Botanica: Contemporary Art Outside had created opportunities for some of our city’s most talented artists, bringing their work to a large audience.
“The dramatic night-time art exhibition continues in the tradition of large-scale and ambitious art works. New technologies, innovation and performative works break free of the traditional museum space and help stimulate conversation about our environment and city,” Ms Quinn said.
“This year’s diverse and creative cohort of local, national and international artists are responding to the theme Tread Softly and have created work that express a sensitivity and care toward our natural environment and the relationships we have with it.
“Botanica will be a spectacular and thoughtful display, aspiring to bring hope, beauty and delight, while ‘Treading Softly’ in our treasured City Botanic Gardens.”
Botanica has attracted more than 180,000 visitors since it launched in 2018, with last year’s exhibition recording 17,000 attendees on the final Saturday – the largest number of visitors in one night.
Botanica is presented by Brisbane City Council and produced by Museum of Brisbane. The full program is available on Brisbane City Council’s website.
