World's Largest Light Installation Illuminates Albany's History and Sky
In the coastal town of Albany, Western Australia, a breathtaking spectacle is unfolding over the next two weekends of March. Lighting the Sound, a monumental light installation by Finnish artist Kari Kola, is casting beams across the night sky at King George Sound, creating what may be the largest light installation ever staged on Earth.
Inspired by Indigenous Roots
The inspiration for this vast artwork stems from a humble source: the bloodroot plant, known as meearn by the Menang people. During an earlier visit to Whalers Cove, Menang man Larry Blight showed Kola the bloodroot, a plant with crimson flesh that was a staple in the traditional diet. "Everything started from there," Kola explains, noting how this connection to the land and its history shaped the installation's narrative.
As the sun sets, green light rises into the sky, followed by red shards that evoke the bloodroot leaping upward. Kola describes it as "creating the red roots which connect the land and the cosmos," a poignant reflection on the deep ties between culture and environment.
A Canvas of History and Community
King George Sound, or Mamang Koort to the Menang people, holds layers of history spanning over 45,000 years. From the arrival of the British brig Amity in 1826 to its role in whaling and as a departure point for Anzac troops, this site has witnessed both conflict and cooperation. Early Albany was known as the "friendly frontier," where relationships between Menang people and settlers were forged.
Menang elder Carol Pettersen emphasizes that Lighting the Sound is about commemoration—recognizing the past while celebrating the future. The project involved two years of consultation with Menang elders and the local community, ensuring it respectfully honors this rich heritage.
Technical Marvel and Atmospheric Art
To realize his vision, Kola deployed about 750 LED floodlights and 15 red "pencil beam" lights mounted on steel towers up to 20 meters high. Initially planning to illuminate the hills, tests revealed the landscape appeared too small from a distance, so Kola turned the sky itself into the canvas. Clouds and weather patterns become integral to the work, with light scattering into shifting, luminous displays.
Kola believes the installation might even be visible from space, and he has initiated discussions with astronauts on the International Space Station to photograph it from orbit. This scale pushes boundaries, as Kola notes, "At this scale there's nobody you can ask how to realise it. You have to push the boundaries and learn in the process."
A Reflection of Culture and Landscape
For Pettersen, clouds are a welcome element, as Menang culture has long used firelight and clouds to tell stories in the sky. On the opening night, a thick canopy of grey cloud enhanced the effect, catching the light beams and painting the harbour's history across the heavens.
Kola sees his work not as imposing something new but as revealing what is already present. "It's like a mirror reflecting the culture and the world," he says, highlighting how the installation brings together natural elements, historical narratives, and community spirit.
Lighting the Sound continues at King George Sound, Albany, on 20–22 March and 27–29 March, offering a unique fusion of art, history, and light that captivates both locals and visitors alike.
