The normally lush green heritage garden and sandstone fountain is icily unrecognisable as you step into a fully immersive winter playground.
Escape to the Alps is a fantastical journey to a neon alpine forest where the air is crisp and the scenery breathtaking. Surrounded by frosty trees and mountain ranges, all the joys of a winter holiday are right there in neon; for the imaginatively adventurous ski the slopes, ride a toboggan, play with a giant Snowman and lots, lots more. In the centre of it all glistening in the moonlight are graceful ice skaters twirling as the Fountain, normally cascading with water is transported into a ‘frozen’ ice skating rink.
Escape to the Alps is a truly immersive experience that will transport you to a world of fantasy and wonder. It’s a perfect way to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and immerse yourself in the beauty and magic of winter.
About the Artist
Volter International is a creative collective company lead by Melbourne visual artist Carla O’Brien. Visitors to GLOW festival in 2022 were captivated by O’Brien’s giant Neon Hot Air Balloon interactive experience.
O’Brien’s career as a visual artist began in 2009 after experiencing the world renowned Burning Man festival in Nevada, USA. Her primary medium is LED Neon Flex, a revolutionary replacement of traditional Glass Neon. She creates awe-inspiring neon art installations now seen at festivals and events and in restaurants, bars and in peoples’ private collections. Her highly interactive neon installations are social media and crowd favourites.
O’Brien’s most famous neon art piece NEON ANGEL WINGS were first seen at White Night Melbourne in 2015 and went globally viral in 2016 when Katy Perry instagrammed a photo of herself ‘wearing’ the Wings at the Burning Man festival in Nevada USA in 2016. They were a much loved and featured art piece at the City of Stonnington’s GLOW WINTER ARTS FESTIVAL in 2017.
ESCAPE TO THE ALPS is the debut light art activation for the creative team at Volter International.
