LUMAGICA Innsbruck: a look behind the scenes

11 December 2023

Post originally written in: Deutsch

The magical LUMAGICA light park has been enriching Innsbruck in winter since 2020. Every year, it manages to cast a spell over young and old alike. This year, too, we can look forward to fascinating light sculptures, sound-to-light and laser shows. Let yourself be whisked away to another time and enchant all your senses. You can be sure that the LUMAGICA light park will not disappoint this year either. It will probably even exceed your expectations, as there are some exciting new features.

A little magic

The first LUMAGICA light park opened in Hückelhoven, Germany, on a coal hill - a very unspectacular location. But LUMAGICA wouldn't be LUMAGICA if it couldn't breathe magic into even the most desolate of places. Innsbruck is anything but bleak, but a little magic never hurts - not even in the Alpine metropolis. What's more, MK Illumination Handels GmbH, which was founded in a backyard garage in Innsbruck in 1996 and now operates worldwide, has its headquarters here. It was therefore only natural that the company behind LUMAGICA wanted to open a park of lights in "their" city.

The light code for humans and animals

"Originally, we were thinking of Ambras Castle," says Melanie Hasewend. "However, due to the infrastructure and conditions, the decision was made in favor of the Court garden. Our environment and the welfare of the animals are particularly important to us. In collaboration with the Tyrolean Environmental Ombudsman's Office, we have developed a 'light code' to avoid light pollution. Among other things, this involves dimming the light motifs from a certain time of day. Visitors hardly notice this, but it makes a big difference to the environment and the animals. We were able to implement the Lightcode very well in our Ehrenberg light park - Lumagica Reutte. The Hofgarten is located in an inner-city area, which gives us a little more freedom. Nevertheless, we do our best. We use LED lamps with 36 volts and avoid blue, ultraviolet and UV light as much as possible."

MK Illumination makes Innsbruck shine

Melanie has been part of the MK Illumination team since 2015. She started out as a 2D graphic designer. Together with her colleagues from the design and sales departments, she develops wonderful and impressive lighting concepts. Anyone walking through Innsbruck during the Christmas season will inevitably come into contact with her work. Some examples are the lighting in the city center, the DEZ shopping center or the Tyrol department store, all of which were created by MK Illumination.

It's all a question of planning

Melanie Hasewend has been a key visual artist for the LUMAGICA light park since 2020. Her work is demanding, and one thing is certain, she certainly never gets bored. The planning for the parks of lights - LUMAGICA can be found in other cities besides Innsbruck - begins in January and should be completed in the first quarter. Beforehand, she visits the light parks and takes care of the visualization on site. To do this, she follows the exact routes that the visitors will take later and records everything photographically. This facilitates the installation, during which she is also present to assist the workers in word and deed. She is a real perfectionist and gives it her all. The result is definitely something to be proud of.

Recipe for success: talent, passion and expertise

Melanie's enthusiasm for art and design was evident from an early age. She attended the HTL for Construction, Computer Science and Design and completed a Bachelor's degree in Marketing and Communication at the FH Kufstein while working. She then went on to complete a Master's degree in Web Communication & Information Systems, which she passed with flying colors. When she talks about her training and, above all, her work, you can tell how much she loves what she does. She puts so much passion, commitment and know-how into her projects. No wonder they are so successful. "It's important to me to respond to the wishes of our customers and visitors," she says. "I carried out a survey last year and was delighted that the majority were very satisfied." She is proud to be able to implement many of the visitors' wishes. "I try to outdo us every year. It's getting really difficult," laughs Melanie.

A journey into the past

This year, visitors can expect to see creatures from times long past, among other things. I'm sure they will not only fascinate the little ones. The Tyrannosaurus Rex, the Brachiosaurus and the Velociraptors have gathered around a volcano that spews glowing lava. The spectacle is accompanied by music and is guaranteed to make children's eyes light up. Melanie developed this idea together with the technicians and has definitely managed to outdo herself.

If you want to feel particularly close to the dinosaurs, you can download a free app for the first time this year (information is available on site). There is a QR code in front of the dinosaurs - if you scan it, you can see the giant lizards right in front of you. This new medium is called augmented reality and offers a virtual extension of reality. For example, the dinosaurs' scales can be viewed up close. Speaking of virtual reality, there is another exciting new feature: for a small extra charge and with the help of VR goggles, visitors have the opportunity to get on a boat and take a short tour.

The interactive light park

The beauty of LUMAGICA is that it is an interactive park of lights. Of course there is a lot to see and marvel at, but there is also plenty to actively experience. One example of this is the ball track. Children have the opportunity to crank balls of light upwards and then let them roll back down again. I'm already very excited, because I imagine it will be incredibly beautiful to see glowing balls whizzing through the darkness. "With 350 light sculptures and a 1.5-kilometer hiking trail, you'll be busy for around an hour and a half," explains Melanie, who has now made me want to visit the LUMAGICA light park even more.

Information:

Where: Hofgarten Innsbruck
When: until 28.01.2024, 5 to 9 pm
Last admission at 7:30 pm
Closed on 24.12.2023
Arrival by public transport: The bus stop Innsbruck Congress/Hofburg is located directly in front of the entrance to the park.
Arrival by car: Parking spaces are available for a fee in the parking garage on Rennweg.
Website Lumagica
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