Cathedral Chiaroscuro
St Francis Xavier Cathedral
Tue 10 Mar, 2026

Chiaroscuro is an Italian term used to describe art works that contrast light and dark. Cathedral Chiaroscuro uses Adelaide’s Francis Xavier Cathedral as a canvas to play out its colourful dance.

Immersive sound and light shows have become quite a thing in recent times and it’s getting harder to be impressed, but seeing beams of colour projected on to a Gothic Chuch’s internal architecture takes it to new heights. If nothing else, Cathedral Chiaroscuro helps you realise what remarkable buildings such churches are. If you can rid yourself of the distasteful associations associated with Christianity and just focus on the power and grandeur of the architecture you will enjoy this event. The rows of columns supporting tall arches, the stained glass imagery above the altar, and the Tudor style woodwork on the ceilings are all brought into sharp focus with ever changing colour schemes.

What was especially impressive was the precision and accuracy of the projections. The rounded edges of the arches for example would be shown in one colour, and the adjacent surface in another complementary tone. It must be weeks, perhaps longer, in the making. The projections are not generic; they are specific to the dimensions of this church!

Cathedral Chiaroscuro is ultimately about contemplation and reflection. One’s mind wanders off trying to make connections between the colours and the metaphorical imagery. It’s a very personal and subjective experience. The reflective mood is aided by a series of audio tracks that mostly feature religious choral music. Unfortunately there was no information made available about the pieces of music played.

It would have been nice to have a further 5 or 10 minutes for more personal reflection after the event but we were hustled out immediately after the show to make way for the next group queuing at the front door. It felt a bit rushed and it shouldn’t.

Still, it’s a fine way to spend 25 minutes. I think my favourite was the projection that turned the whole cathedral into a garden with flowers and flowing vines.