Last weekend the Adelaide Botanic Gardens were set aflame for Adelaide Festival’s Fire Gardens by Compagnie Carabosse. Spread over four nights, the gardens were filled with thousands of handcrafted giant candles that shaped it into a dazzling maze-like adventure.
As we stepped foot into the gardens we were quickly enveloped into an ancient world of fire. The warm orange colour and faint smell of smoke followed as each step was taken, blazing fire shining through the trees casting shadows across the landscape and keeping us toasty warm.
There was a new display awaiting at every corner and bend of the path. Some smaller delicate displays and some giant and elaborate displays, wowing spectators as they rounded a corner and took the full display in. Fine machinery was used everywhere to spin, manipulate and display the blazes in stunningly picturesque techniques. Curious displays of small mechanical robots with little faces were also placed around corners and in crevices of the garden, adding a charming character to the experience.
The lake was set alight with a huge ball of individual candles and smaller boat-like objects, glittering and reflecting perfectly on the water. A bar was even set up close by so guests could enjoy a cool drink or wine whilst admiring the impressive sight.
Backed to beautiful live performances and cool medieval style soundtracks, the Fire Gardens gave an entrancing feeling, as if you are in some kind of medieval fire ritual. It was an ancient, ritualistic wonderland of fire and an experience of elemental force. Admirably, a display of art in a more architectural and large-scale sense, the Fire Gardens was an experience perfect for the Adelaide Festival. And notably, in compassion for those affected by the bushfires, all profits from the Compagnie Carabosse Fire Gardens were donated by Adelaide Festival to local bushfire relief funds and appeals.
Written by Hayley Sutter
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