We spoke to Illuminate Adelaide Co-Founders and Creative Directors Lee Cumberlidge and Rachael Azzopardi to learn more about their vision for South Australia’s premier winter event as it returns once again to shake up our winter blues with a program of inspiring events.

Lee and Rachael. Photo Credit: Frankie the Creative

The dynamic duo come with decades of experience in major events and the arts. From Adelaide Festival and the Commonwealth Games, from Hong Kong to Broadway, Rachael Azzopardi has seen and done it all. Meanwhile, Lee Cumberlidge has been behind Insite Arts, Arts Projects Australia, and Hobart's MONA FOMA – alongside working with major international artists and large-scale art events in Australia and around the world.

It was 2021 when they teamed up to transform Adelaide, using their passion for artists and audiences alike to create a city-wide winter event focused on art, light, music, and technology.  Here’s what they told us about its fourth iteration, and their promise to once again brighten their home city with accessible, new, and spectacular art.

In one word, how would you describe Illuminate Adelaide 2024?

Azzopardi: Breathtaking!

Cumberlidge: Exhilarating!

After four years of Illuminate Adelaide, what does winter now mean in our city?

Azzopardi: It has given our city a magical event – a reason to get out and explore our city in winter, to put on the puffer jacket and get out and be immersed in new experiences!

Let’s talk innovation: what are some exciting themes and ideas in this year’s program?

Cumberlidge: In this year’s program, we have increased our focus on innovative music with a program of artists from across the globe all pushing genre boundaries and engaging with technology in new ways. We will also see the use of deepfake video technology take a fun twist as the Renaissance portraits come to life on the façade of the Art Gallery of South Australia.

What is one local and one international collaboration that makes this year special?

Azzopardi: Local: Incandescent by Bailey Donovan. International: Time by Filip Roca & Zarko Komar on the facade of Government House.

What Illuminate Adelaide 2024 events would make the ultimate winter weekend?

Cumberlidge: Head out on the weekend of 12th July for a performance with Max Cooper and Motez, plus City Lights, EDEN, Universal Kingdom: Prehistoric Nights & Fire Gardens.

More information from the Illuminate Adelaide 2024 edition of WeekendPlus: