lux
— n , pl lux
the derived SI unit of illumination equal to a luminous flux of 1 lumen per square metre. 1 lux is equivalent to 0.0929 foot-candle.

I don’t know about you, but to me a luminous flux sounds like it should be a lot of fun. It sounds like a light switch being turned on in your brain and exciting things happen. You’d see colours you didn’t know existed, see things in new ways and begin to think in new ways. A luminous flux sounds like something full of possibility.

WgtnLUX-01

Into it’s fourth year LUX Wellington is a lights festival that takes over the waterfront and a number of alleyways through the city centre. Last year the festival coincided with an awful, awful storm so my fingers are crossed for better weather this time around. Weather wasn’t the only reason I missed out on seeing any of the displays last year, I was busy eating my way around the city, eyes and taste buds focused on the Wellington on a Plate Programme. This year however, if you are quick, you can enjoy a deLux Dining experience as Wellington on a Plate have teamed up with LUX and are offering treats for your eyes and taste buds. In fact, even if you miss out on those special offerings, there’s the Food Truck Trailer Park that’ll have a range of awesome local food available.

There’ll be 32 works on display after dark, 6pm-11pm, from 22 – 31 August. AND IT’S FREE!!!!

You can check out a few of the installations here. LUX seems to be a series of creations that combine sound and light in a number of interesting ways sure to fascinate your eyes and mind, and perhaps take your brain off that ever present southerly ‘breeze’. Keep your eyes out for Jon Baxter’s Boing Boing Gloop Machine and COLOUR FALL by Darklit Design from the Wairarapa. There’ll be a number of New Zealand and International artists and for the first time – 6 Massey Graduates will get to display pieces.

I won’t be missing out on this two years running. I’ll be scoping out the Wellington weather forecast, grabbing a jacket and scarf and be jumping into this luminous flux with my mind and eyes wide open. Yes, I realise I can’t actually leap into a luminous flux. Or can I?!?!?