LIGHT SHOWS
ARTIST | CREATIVE CONSULTANT | LIGHT SHOW DIRECTOR
Beginning in 2021, with my light show Moombaki, I have since worked with a light show production company, First Lights to develop cultural drone light show experiences. Specialising in this unique medium and working closely with cultural custodians to develop scripting, storyboards, dramaturg, and supporting cultural experiences brings ancient stories into the sky that attract thousands of people. These are not just any drone shows, rather immersive experiences that harness drone technology as a medium for cultural storytelling.
I’ve worked across Australia and New Zealand from Perth, Esperance, Albany, Geraldton, Ningaloo, Darwin, Bowral and Rotorua.
MOOMBAKI
ARTIST
2021
ABOUT MOOMBAKI
Moombaki is the Nyoongar word for ‘where the river meets the sky’.
Moombaki was a choreographed drone light show re-imagining the first stories of Whadjuk Nyoongar Country for all to experience.
A three-part series of drone shows, sharing the Whadjuk Dreaming stories of the Derbarl Yerrigan (Swan River, Western Australia). Over three weekends and three locations, I shared the stories of Djoondal (The Giant Spirit Woman), Danakaat (The Seven Sisters) and finally the Kaanya Bidi (Journey of The Spirit). Each experience offered an insight to local Dreaming stories that had never been told in an immersive setting such as this.
KOORANUP WADJEMUP
ARTIST
2023
ABOUT KOORANUP WADJEMUP
“Kooranup, is the place beyond the horizon and past Moombaki, where the water meets the sky. It is the heavenly shore located in the far west. Our spirits final resting place in the Noongar Nyitting (Dreaming)”. – Ilona McGuire
As a part of the Fremantle Biennale’s fourth festival SIGNALS 23, First Lights: Kooranup was presented; a sequel to the stories shared through First Lights: Moombaki in 2021. This epic spectacle of light, movement and sound will again transform the night sky with 160 drones taking flight over the stage of the bilya (river) and wardan (ocean). The last chapter unfolded across the ocean, on Wadjemup (Rottnest Island), with a collective offering, led by Ilona McGuire and writer Cass Lynch. This closing chapter offers a space for deep contemplation across land and water, weaving together the many stories across time, both beautiful and heartbreaking, that are held by the island.
FIRST LIGHTS
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
2023 - CURRENT
ABOUT FIRST LIGHTS
First Lights is a place-responsive, choreographed drone light and sound experience, presented by the Fremantle Biennale.
See more here https://firstlights.com.au
GARRAMILLA | BINALUP | NYINGGULU | KEPA KURL | COWARAMUP | NGUNUNGGULA | WADJEMUP | ROTORUA | JAMBINU
DARWIN | ALBANY | EXMOUTH | ESPERANCE | GRACETOWN | BOWRAL | ROTTNEST ISLAND | ROTORUA | GERALDTON