A new light festival featuring international artists will run at Black Barn Vineyards, in Havelock North from August 26-30.
The inaugural Walk of Wonders, Hawke's Bay Light & Fire Festival, will showcase 14 incredible light, fire and audio works from New Zealand and international artists with installations dotted along a2km walkway throughout the grounds of the vineyards.
Accompanied by a wondrous music score, Walk of Wonders is the brainchild of festival director and featured artist Anthony van Dorsten and Henry Gordon, owner of Black Barn Bistro.
Led by Vesica Aotearoa, a Hawke's Bay-based art company, Walk of Wonders will feature New Zealand artists Angus Muir, Creature Post, Vesica, Sight & Sound and Silo, as well as work from Hybycozo, an art collective from the US.
For van Dorsten, Walk of Wonders marks a huge milestone as both a festival director and light artist.
"In 2018, I returned from Burning Man Festival in the US with a clear vision of what I wanted to do next. I had a chance meeting with Oakland-based art collective Hybycozo which lead me into the world of art and light. Prior to Covid-19, I set up and executed tours of Hybycozo's works throughout New Zealand and Australia, but of course, that's now changed.
"Walk of Wonders is our lockdown brainchild. A chance to be creative, bring together a group of incredible artists with the stunning backdrop of Black Barn Vineyards."
While the event will run Wednesday through to Sunday, van Dorsten and Gordon have reserved Saturday night for a real celebration with seasonal food, outdoor fires, drinks and live music on offer for those who want to enjoy the atmosphere.
During the festival, Black Barn Bistro will also offer a special event set menu for $40, in addition to festival ticket, allowing guests to enjoy a full night of wonder.
Tickets are available from eventfinda.co.nz, with early bird prices from as little as $5 for children and $25 for adults.
Walk of Wonders runs from August 26-30, with gates open from 4.30pm to 9.30pm each night, except for Saturday when the gates will be open 4.30pm-10.30pm.
