Community in Light

Trustpower Projection - Into the Light

Into the Light was an interactive public art installation I created for the Wellington waterfront, inviting the people of Te Whanganui-a-Tara to quite literally step into the spotlight. The work centred around community participation: visitors were able to record a live video of their face from a purpose-built booth, which was then projected at monumental scale into the spray of the Carter Fountain after dark.

The project explored ideas of visibility, presence and connection — transforming an iconic public landmark into a temporary canvas shaped by the people who encountered it. Seeing hundreds of smiling, expressive faces suspended above the harbour created a playful yet powerful moment of shared experience, turning passers-by into participants and co-creators of the work.

I developed the installation in close collaboration with Kaleb Maunder, bringing together digital projection, live capture technology and public-space logistics, with support from Streamliner and Performance Arcade. Careful consideration was given to audience flow, sightlines and accessibility to ensure the experience felt intuitive and welcoming for all ages.

Into the Light ran across multiple evenings and became a celebration of community, scale and spectacle — using light, water and human presence to reimagine how public art can activate and connect people within the city.

Photography by Stephen A'Court.

In collaboration with Kaleb Maunder.

With thanks to Trustpower, The Performance Arcade, Sam Trubridge and Streamliner.