I haven’t been a great fan of holiday light shows; I’ll admit that up front. Too many outlined fairy-tale and cartoon characters. Too crowded. Too cold. I know, I sound like a Grinch.
What changed the picture for me this year was the opportunity to take in the show along with my two-year-old grand-daughter Laila (and her mother). I’m glad I did!
The show, Lightscape, was in very familiar territory—the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, which I often visit and have often written about. But, as the pictures above show, under the direction of the artists who created the show, it wasn’t really familiar at all!
The familiar waters of the Japanese Hill and Pond Garden took on a completely different look—and then moments later had changed again!
Walking along the paths, we found new views at every turn, with an occasional very eerie look
The magic of changing color and viewing angle made this installation into two distinct forms.
This burning bush was so realistic that at first glance I thought it really was a fire!
Green dancers adorned the lily ponds; the greenhouse behind was set up as a cafe with food and hot drinks that warmed my chilly fingers before they warmed my insides!
Birds and lanterns on the way to our next stops on the one-way trail that leads through the Lightscape.
Warning: Pun ahead… this is the Light Orchestra.
The lights and the music captured Laila’s attention…
And then, a glowing field of poppies, and blinking bluebells…
A long row of stately trees, changing color from moment to moment, led us toward what would, in a fireworks show, be the spectacular finale.
