Home » Australia Travel News » Lighting the Sound: A Spectacular Light Installation Over King George Sound for Albany’s Bicentenary Celebrations in Australia Published on
August 29, 2025One of the biggest and most remarkable lighting installations in the world will be installed on the magnificent King George Sound, one of Albany’s most recognisable natural landmarks, in March 2026. One of the main events of Albany’s bicentennial celebrations, which honour the city’s founding 200 years ago, will be Lighting the Sound. With Albany’s natural beauty and rich history as its backdrop, this event is sure to enthral tourists and highlight the region’s importance on a global scale.Albany, the first settlement in Western Australia, was established as a military outpost in December 1826 and has a rich European and Indigenous history. Up until 1829, it was the capital of the Swan River colony, three years before Perth. It is now a city that honours its natural heritage and cultural diversity, and Lighting the Sound is expected to be a significant occasion for the area’s tourism and cultural industries.Advertisement A Vision by Kari Kola: The Artist Behind the InstallationLighting the Sound is the brainchild of renowned Finnish artist Kari Kola, whose large-scale installations have gained international acclaim for their striking harmony with the natural environment. Known for his unique ability to transform landscapes with light, Kola’s vision for Albany is nothing short of spectacular. His concept for the installation, named “Roots of the Sky”, is inspired by the Bloodroot plant, a cultural symbol of the Menang Noongar people, the traditional custodians of the Albany region.Kola’s installation will span over 1,000 hectares of the King George Sound coastline, where nearly 750 light towers will be strategically placed to illuminate the surrounding cliffs and coastline. Each tower will emit a beam of light in the form of 15 red pencil beams, casting an ethereal glow over the jagged rocks and calm waters. The installation will also feature 15 larger towers, which will light up the sky, adding a dramatic contrast to the landscape.The engineering behind the installation is equally impressive. The infrastructure has been designed to minimise any environmental impact, ensuring that the lighting display will have minimal effects on the surrounding flora and fauna. The specific hues used in the lighting have been carefully selected to create the perfect balance of beauty and sustainability.A Celebration of Albany’s History and Cultural DiversityLighting the Sound is more than just a visual spectacle; it is a celebration of Albany’s history, its cultural significance, and the deep connection the Menang Noongar people have with the land and sea. The installation represents a fusion of contemporary art with the …
