Review: Enlightenment: An Immersive Light Show in Edinburgh

Eonarium’s ‘Enlightenment’ – what’s that all about then? It’s an indoor ‘son et lumière’ show, with light projections cascading all over the beautiful interior of Edinburgh University’s purpose-built Graduation Hall, the McEwan Hall, accompanied, in this case, by music from and inspired by Vivaldi’s ‘The Four Seasons’. Hats off to Edinburgh University for this collaboration.

State-of-the-Art Projections Meet Vivaldi

The light show – the ‘lumière’ presented by Zurich-based artist collective PROJEKTIL, in collaboration with Fever – uses state-of-the-art technology, which responds to the building’s architecture and, in this setting, its ornate organ. It sometimes feels like magic, as the lights chase round the galleries, glass cupola and indeed everywhere. The lights ‘dance’ to the music and the different seasons are heralded by what could be maple trees, with differing amounts of leaves in appropriate colours. Birds also swoop around the hall.

Some of the projections are very abstract, whilst others depict water, flowers and other natural elements. I loved the more representative projections, but found some of the more abstract, kaleidoscopic ones a bit overwhelming. I was almost expecting Kaa to pop up, singing ‘Trust in Me’. IYKYK.

“The light show – the ‘lumière’ – uses state-of-the-art technology, which responds to the building’s architecture and, in this setting, its ornate organ. It sometimes feels like magic…

The sound – the ‘son’ in French – is ‘The Four Seasons’, either ‘straight’ as you’d recognise it, or variations on it. There are also occasional sound effects, such as rushing water and crashing thunder. Very atmospheric.

The hall itself is magnificent – it’s just a shame you don’t get to see it, as when you enter the light show is already underway. The hall is a magnificent sight which few people get to see – unless you are lucky enough to graduate from Edinburgh University or are a guest of a graduating student. It’s also open for ‘Open Doors’ and for a few other events, particularly during the Edinburgh Festival. I’d have loved to have walked in in daylight, or with the usual lights on if it’s getting dark, to appreciate the magnificence of the hall and also I’d have known that I hadn’t inadvertently missed the beginning of the show. It was a wee bit confusing.

Beanbags, Seating, and the Audience Experience

The seating arrangement was a choice between beanbags on the floor, laid out in neat rows, or the fixed seating round the perimeter of this circular space. I’ve been to other indoor projections where you lie on the floor – without beanbags – so I thought I’d give the added comfort of the beanbags a go. Fun and comfy – but not so comfy for the whole show, which lasts for about half an hour.

“To be honest, I got bored. It wasn’t the (for me) discomfort of the beanbag; I just found it eventually became a bit ‘samey’ and I was quite pleased when it finished.”

My back and neck ached from about halfway through, but I didn’t want to shuffle around and annoy my neighbours, so I made the best of it. If I went again, I’d definitely choose a seat. It’s not like an IMAX cinema where you have to be reclined, as the projection is literally everywhere, so I don’t think you’d miss out visually.

To be honest, I got bored. It wasn’t the (for me) discomfort of the beanbag; I just found it eventually became a bit ‘samey’ and I was quite pleased when it finished. The problem is, you need to give people enough to justify their money, so less than 30 minutes probably isn’t viable. It’s flagged as a show for all the family. My kids would have either been scared or bored fairly quickly, I think.

There was one child in the show I went to, who appeared to love snuggling into a beanbag, but was up and moving around as soon as allowed to. But all families and all children are different, and this show has been doing the rounds and ‘captivating audiences across Europe’, and reviews on Eonarium’s website suggest people go back time and again. Perhaps just one of those things that wasn’t for me.

All Images: Enlightenment – Fever