Artist Bruce Munro's Sonoran Light Installation at Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix, AZ

One of our favorite things to do each spring is to get outside and enjoy our beautiful Sonoran desert landscape, and one of the best places to do this without leaving town is the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix. What makes it even more special is when the garden showcases the work of artists (such as past installations by glass artist Dale Chihuly) that compliment the natural environment. The garden is currently featuring artist Bruce Munro's incredible Sonoran Light Installation, which can be viewed in the evenings from 6 - 11pm, now through May 8th. You'll want to purchase your tickets in advance due to demand.

Amanda and I went out on January 10th for a photo night at the garden, which meant we could bring in our tripods, etc., and take some extra time to really focus on capturing this amazing spectacle without being in the way of large crowds. We also experimented with fill flash to highlight the Saguaros and other cactus in the foreground among the sea of fiber optics.

Bruce Munro's installations use a vast network of multi-color fiber optic cables that slowly transition through different glowing hues, transforming the mood of the desert. His Water-Towers installation also makes innovative use of plastic water bottles to contain and expand the glowing color of the fiber optics. And his Field of Light installation has an estimated 30,000 glass spheres that spread down Garden Butte much like immense neurons.

Bruce Munro's Water-Towers

Bruce Munro's Water-Towers

Bruce Munro's Water-Towers

Bruce Munro's Field of Light

Bruce Munro's Field of Light

Bruce Munro's Field of Light

Bruce Munro's Beacon

Bruce Munro's Beacon

Bruce Munro's Beacon