Imagine spending a crisp fall evening wandering through a botanical garden who’s woodlands and meadows are sprinkled with a display of Chinese lanterns – that is China Lights. The lanterns are a menagerie of metal frames that are covered with colorful silk and studded with LED lights. The frames are in the shapes of Chinese cultural gems that are recreated for the display. The shapes include natural, architectural and mythological characters – dragons, flowers, birds, all sorts animals, giant goldfish and carp, dancing trees, more dragons, phoenixes, flying turtles, pandas, blue elephants, pixies and even more dragons. The list goes on and on. The Chinese tradition of lighting lanterns began many centuries ago. Early lantern festivals can be tracked to the Eastern Han Dynasty which spanned nearly two hundred years starting in the year 25. Viewing this show is intended to be a fun experience. There is no hidden symbolism or deep meaning; no deep context; no secret message; no social commentary or political message. The objective of this show is for the viewers to have as much fun as I experienced while capturing and producing the images. It is my hope that each viewer can, in some way, escape their everyday world and connect with their inner child for a few minutes as they find themselves Wandering Through China Lights.

Image: Jeffrie A. Chirchirillo