JON BAXTER Concept/Visual Design & Animation
PUCK MURPHY Interactive programming – Touch Designer
PETER HOBBS Interactive sound design

Auckland artist Jon Baxter is one of our invited guest artists this year. His credentials include the AV content at the Rugby World Cup opening. His Interactive Earth is a two metre fibreglass globe, with the continents and oceans projected onto its surface. Using a remote, visitors can control the fate of the earth by manipulating nature, development and chaos.

ANTHONY GENET

Do you remember playing Pick up Sticks or gathering firewood at the beach? Genet’s Bundle is an eye-pleasing reminder of these experiences, with around 30 coloured glass spears bound together with heavy rope. The work is internally lit, producing a warm glow.

Genet is a glass artist and runs the Nelson studio Flame Daisy.

BEN CLEGG

Ben Clegg created the rainbow bridge that wowed the crowds in the first Light Nelson. This year he his combining rainbows with mandala and water, with light and magic.

Clegg of Clyngfim Arts has been running his event lighting company RGB Event Lighting from Golden Bay since 2012, but is now returning to the UK.

IAN MORTIMER ON BEHALF OF MIYAZU

Nelson’s sister city Miyazu has an amazing sand bar called Amanohashidate, noted as one of Japan's top three most scenic sites. The name means ‘the bridge to heaven’ from an ancient Shinto creation myth where the gods of creation built a bridge from their home in the heavens – this fell to earth after misuse and over time became the sandbar. This installation is a shadow puppet story based on this myth, performed in a large light box. The work incorporates bamboo fabric, music and lanterns and is backed by Taiko drumming and Kendo performers.

The Nelson Miyazu link is 40 years old and is one of New Zealand's strongest and oldest sister city relationships.