By CASEY NEILL
AN ILLUMINATED Dandenong shone during the annual Nocturnal arts after dark event last night.
Temporary art installations and projections popped up around Harmony Square on Thursday 9 July, celebrating night, light and life.
Visitors warmed their hands and toasted marshmallows around fire pits, made their way inside a giant inflatable salmon and watched owls take flight into the night.
The big screen featured artist compilations and text messages from attendees sharing their impressions of Nocturnal and sight, light and sound installation Batmania challenged the dark perceptions of bats.
Councillor John Kelly said he loved it.
“I’ve been for the last few years and it’s just fantastic,” he said.
“The vitality of it all last night was just fantastic, with families. It’s a great time to do it, in school holidays.”
Cr Kelly said there seemed to be a bigger crowd this year.
“I didn’t recognise too many people so I hope there were a lot of people from outside the city who came,” he said.
“Art is in the eye of the beholder. Not everyone liked the different pieces, but it puts us on a different pedestal, I think.”
He said even the hotly-debated Harmony Square signage starred on the night.
“When I was leaving there were six kids crawling over the sign and it was just beautiful to see,” he said.
“It just reflected the night, I think, that it was family-orientated.”
“The staff did a great job, and the artists, but let’s be mindful of the volunteers who did a great job, too.”
