Finding Minnesota: Landscape Arboretum Lights

CHASKA, Minn. (WCCO) -- The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum has a reputation for its sprawling gardens and blooming plants.

However, in the winter, the facility all but shuts down.

This year is different. A new light installation is attracting a new crowd to the arboretum through the cold weather months.

There is an unwritten rule about light displays; the biggest and brightest bring in the largest crowd.

"It kind of looks spooky and cool," said Jackson Stading.

That understanding begins at an early age. Jackson Stading, 8, and his 6-year-old brother, Ian, have seen enough light displays to know when to be impressed.

"I think it's really awesome someone made that," Ian said.

The boys are among those seeing the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in a whole new light.

"This is artistic light and it's landscape lighting on a massive scale," said Peter Moe, director of the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.

The Bruce Munro: Winter Light at the Arboretum opened in mid-November and features seven illuminating exhibits throughout the grounds. The installations are the work of British artist, Bruce Munro, who is known for creating glowing immersive art. He's built 12 exhibits around the country but this is his first light installation in Minnesota.

"The colors are so beautiful and it's just an experience," Moe said. "Bruce Munro is inspired by things he sees around the world."

Each exhibit stands independently of the others and are a mix of fiber optics, LED, acrylics, steel and in some cases sound. They bear names like Oreum, The Good Seed and Rhadamanthine Club.

"I think some people think lights are laser lights or holiday lights, that's the only way to do lights outside. This is completely different," Moe said.

Rose Leapaldt's family toured the exhibit opting for a different take on their annual holiday lighting tour.

"We like to drive around the areas and the boys like seeing the neighborhood lights," said Rose Leapaldt, an Arboretum member.

Instead of a drive-by viewing, her grandkids got an up close look at the lighting display's unique construction.

As they toured an installation called Water Towers, the boys were drawn to the plastic, water-filled bottles with color changing fiber optics.

"It just adds to the uniqueness of it," Leapaldt said. "At the Arboretum they're always doing unique fun things and it expands imagination a bit."

It is a lighting display meant to inspire or, at the very least, create an illuminating experience.

"He's creating unique ways to use light that no one has ever done any other place," Moe said.

The exhibit runs every Thursday through Sunday until April 9. Advance tickets are $17 for adults, $12 for children.

Here is more information on ticket pricing and hours.

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