Lumina Borealis

Last weekend we went to Kingston to check out Lumina Borealis, a temporary light and sound installation in Fort Henry. It was interesting to see the contrast and confluence of past and present by bringing technology together with place – arguably one of the best ways to preserve infrastructure and interest in historic sites. It is especially refreshing to see interactive art and history as so often our school field trips would feature stuffy buildings full of frail artefacts that you could barely look at too carefully lest they crumble under the weight of your gaze, much less engage with in a meaningful way.

Lumina Borealis allowed you to experience the impressiveness of Fort Henry in the dark while also including you in a wordless story of winter featuring icebergs, snow-covered trees, spirit animals, northern lights, and a starry night sky. Movement drew animals, sounds created shapes and colours, and actions generated music.

We had decided to go at the end of the evening when it would be less busy and free of children... Conveniently, there was a single family there and the dad-figure explained how the last feature worked and that we would need to help bring a final image to life by mumbling into microphones and hucking plastic balls at a projection on one of the fort walls.

The whole thing was very well organized with a shuttle bus available from downtown Kingston. We arrived early and had dinner at the fort which was a nice addition.

We ordered their 3-course meal and both started with a delicious bowl of curry vegetable soup. Josh had a turkey dinner with stuffing, mashed potatoes, and glazed carrots. I had the stuffed pepper which also came with mashed potatoes and glazed carrots and was the first time I have ever had a vegetarian meal out that featured such mundane yet overwhelming ingredients. I was in heaven! So often the only vegetarian option is a hand-reared eggplant served inside out with free-run tempeh and a side of bok choy jelly, or something equally bizarre. Usually it’s delicious, but most of the time I just want the mashed potatoes and carrots that come with a steak.

We both finished with figgy pudding and discovered hot rum toddies which are just hot water poured over spiced butter and rum and make for a very nice, but dangerous, alternative to a coffee or hot chocolate based drink.

I’m so excited to have the opportunity to visit these sites!