Bruce Munro’s SONORAN LIGHT Exhibit at the Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix, AZ

Water - Towers, Sonoran Light Exhibit by Bruce Munro, Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix, AZ

Every night, until May 8, 2016, the landscape in Phoenix, Arizona, at the Desert Botanical Garden will glow with colorful sculptures, strategically placed among the cacti and other plants by British artist Bruce Munro. Sparkling with hundreds of miles of fiber optics and lit by a rainbow of colored lights, the installations reflect his interpretation of the Sonoran Desert.
Several weeks ago, I visited the Desert Botanical Garden with friends. We arrived about 6:30, just as the sun was setting and the local mountains were becoming silhouetted against the sky. The sculptures were already glowing and only became more dramatic as the sky grew dark. Eight installations are located throughout the garden.
Our first stop was at a large terrace where 58 giant columns had been created with clear plastic water bottles threaded with optic fibers. Hidden lights filled the columns with red, purple, blue, green and yellow light. As we walked through the forest of glowing bottles, New Age music played quietly in the background creating an otherworldly atmosphere. In the distance, a mountain studded with a patchwork of colored lights formed another background to the exhibit.
We then proceeded to the Cactus and Succulent Gallery. Near the entrance was a large structure, also made from water bottles and light fibers, but this time formed into a dome created from different colored triangles.
Nearby, giant dandelion shaped light structures were placed among the cacti and succulents. As we turned each corner, we discovered a new one, each seemingly more fantastic than the rest.
By the time I left the Desert Botanical Garden, the sky was dark and dotted with stars. It had been a magical evening.
Tickets:
On the evening we visited the tickets had been sold out (ours were bought ahead of time) and we had to park some distance away from the entrance. Because of this event's overwhelming popularity, it is strongly recommend you purchase tickets ahead of time. Nighttime Munro ticket: $25 adults | $12.50 children (3-12).
Location of the Desert Botanical Garden:
1201 N. Galvin Parkway
Phoenix, AZ 85008
480 941.1225
Hours:
Open Daily 8 A.M. - 8 P.M.
7 A.M. for members Wed. & Sun.
Bruce Munro Exhibit: 6 P.M. - 11 P.M.
For more information go to the Desert Botanical Garden website.