Experiencing Astra Lumina at The South Coast Botanic Garden
Harriet and I have been dying to experience Astra Lumina: An Enchanted Night Walk Amongst The Stars. We finally did enjoy this stunning exhibition last week. Yes, it was a bit soggy after all of the rain but we didn’t want to miss it. Sadly we are very late in our visit, so it is likely that many of you have already discovered this amazing adventure. But just in case you haven’t, we thought we would share the wonder of Astra Lumina.
The Astra Lumina Trail
If you are not aware of Astra Lumina LA, it is a one mile long enchanted night walk through the South Coast Botanic Garden. Through the innovative use of projections, lighting and music, you are immersed in a magical trail that creatively interprets the vastness and beauty of the world of stars. Created by the multimedia events company, Moment Factory, there are nine different installations, each projecting stars in an entirely unique way. We did not shoot each installation, but we did take enough photos to give you a sense of what Astra Lumina is about.
As you enter Astra Lumina, you are greeted by the Astral Archway which dissolves from one color into the next. It is a stunning beginning to a wondrous experience. The accompanying music makes the scene even more magical.
Starlight Lanterns
You will next move to the Starlight Lanterns. This is just one example from this exhibit. From that point on, there are seven additional installations to be enjoyed. Below we shot four of our favorites.
From viewing these photos, we hope you are getting a sense of the beauty and magic of Astra Lumina. The walk took us about 60 minutes to complete although there are absolutely no time limits. It seems that you could wander as long as you desired. But there are a few things to keep in mind…
It is very dark and the terrain is uneven. This is particularly true if you visit after it has been raining. Wear warm clothes and very sturdy footwear. You have to sign a release so that gives you a sense that you need to be very careful.
It was very cold the night we visited but they do have some very yummy drinks. Try hot chocolate with tequilla or Baileys or Peppermint Schnapps. Very tasty and definitely will warm you up. Speaking of cold, I would suggest you purchase preferred parking. There is really no other parking anywhere near the Botanic Garden so it is worth the money.
If you haven’t been to Astra Lumina, you need to hurry. It is only available for a couple of weeks more. You will need to purchase a timed ticket through Fever although at this late date, it probably won’t be difficult.
Astra Lumina: An Enchanted Night Walk Amongst the Stars was described by the Los Angeles Times as “A Multimedia Wonderland.” If you are looking for something to do in the next weeks, you might want to give it a try.
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