Enlighten 2026: Artists Q&A with Eleanor and Giovanni | National Library of Australia (NLA)

Enlighten 2026: Artists Q&A with Eleanor and Giovanni

Join artists Eleanor and Giovanni in conversation with Enlighten Creative Director Adam Deuisen, as they discuss their artistic practice and inspirations.

Using painstaking stop-motion animation, local Canberra artists Eleanor and Giovanni have created our stunning illuminations for the Enlighten Festival. 

This conversation will provide insights into the technical process of stop-motion animation, featuring time-lapse footage, models and other behind-the-scenes material resulting in the creation of The Page Turner

Text reading 'Enlighten Festival 27 February - 9 March 2026'

Visitors are welcome to take a stroll in the Parliamentary Triangle after the talk and enjoy illuminations from 8:00pm. 

Browse the 2026 Enlighten program

Attend in person

Entry to this event is free but bookings are essential.

Watch online

The presentation will also be available online. Please make a booking and we will send you a direct link to the livestream event via email. Or you can join anytime through the Library's YouTube channel

An illumination of the National Library of Australia building, showcasing a figurine with wings

About the artwork

The work contains clever references to the Library and some of our special collection items – asking the viewer to spot glimpses of Captain Moonlite’s lantern or beautiful wings inspired by the Leonard French windows.

Taking inspiration from the collection, The Page Turner has been created using a combination of stop motion puppet animation, pop-up and tunnel books. All are handmade using paper to give the viewer the experience of being inside a book.  

About the artists

A headshot of a man and a woman holding painted figurines

Eleanor Evans and Giovanni Aguilar are Canberra based artists and animators working in intricately handcrafted stop motion animation. Key to their collaboration is bringing together their different skills, with Eleanor’s work in experimental animation and Giovanni’s experience as a graphic designer and musician.

Eleanor and Giovanni met in 2016 while studying a master of stop motion animation at BAU College of Arts & Design of Barcelona. Since that time, they have worked together on more than 15 animated music videos and short films which have screened worldwide in film festivals, as well as animated musical segments that have appeared on Nick Jr and SBS. 

About Adam Deuisen

Adam Deuisen is a live-performance and festival director with over 15 years of experience as both an independent artist, and a programmer and presenter. He is a graduate of Charles Sturt University MA - Directing for the Stage, and in 2018, graduated as part of NIDA’s inaugural cohort of the MFA – Cultural Leadership.  

A sepia photograph of a man wearing a blazer

He has also worked as Artistic Director of Regional Arts Festival Artstate, Associate Artist at Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre, Manager of New Work and Sector Development at Canberra Theatre Centre, Head of Programming for FYI Canberra and Creative Producer for New Annual, Newcastle.

Adam is the current Creative Director of Canberra’s Enlighten Festival. A celebration of art, culture and entertainment bringing together some of Australia’s National Cultural Institutions for 11 days in the capital. 

Event details
03 Mar 2026
6:30pm – 7:30pm
Free
Foyer, Online, Theatre
Accessibility
Assistance animals icon Assistance animals icon Assistance animals welcome
Assistive learning icon Assistive learning icon Hearing induction loop
Wheelchair icon Wheelchair icon Wheelchair accessible

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