The theme for the 10th iteration of Parrtjima, the Aboriginal festival of light that takes place annually in the Northern Territory, is ‘timelessness’. As with last year’s ‘interconnectedness’, the concept might seem broad, but in the hands of curator Rhoda Roberts AO, it resonates with profound meaning and impact as it reflects Indigenous culture and beliefs: both ancient knowledge and contemporary concerns.
“Timelessness is not about measuring time but about understanding our place in the web of life and the cycles of the Earth, where everything is interconnected and eternal,” says Roberts. “[It is] time as understood in the Dreaming concepts—past, present and future. Aboriginal teaching of time is that it’s cyclical, endless and intertwined with the land, ancestors and the natural world.”
Roberts says the theme will be explored through light via “digital animation, physical fabrications and interpretation inspired by the design and kinetic styles… that have shaped us.” As with previous years, major installations will include the vast MacDonnell Ranges Light Show (which lights up two kilometres of the ranges), and Grounded, a showcase of animated projections by emerging Arrernte/Central Australian artists. Several other new installations will debut this year.
Beyond the visual art, for the first time Darwin Symphony Orchestra will perform at Parrtjima, while also on the music bill are Aboriginal performers Troy Cassar-Daley and DEM MOB, the first hip-hop group to rap in Pitjantjatjara language. Another key component is live comedy.
And with ‘timelessness’ pervasive across all sections of the festival, the theme not only celebrates Arrernte custom and tradition, but is also designed to foster inclusivity and accessibility.
“The theme provides a bridge between Aboriginal culture and a broader audience, sparking conversations about the oldest living cultures in the world,” says Roberts. “While it’s important not to make the theme too complex, it serves to highlight truths and stories that are often overlooked or misunderstood.”
Parrtjima – A Festival in Light
Alice Springs Desert Park
4—13 April
This article was originally published in the March/April 2025 print edition of Art Guide Australia.
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