Australia’s largest event, Vivid Festival will be from May 27 to June 18.
From firelight to spotlights, the ‘Lights On’ moment wowed with the Sydney Opera House Lighting of the Sails featuring the incredible new digital artwork, Yarrkalpa – Hunting Ground 2021. Created by Martu artists and creative technologists Curiious, with a soundtrack by Electric Fields & Martu artists, the visually striking and complex painting depicts the Parnngurr community and surrounding landscape and represents Indigenous cultures’ intimate connection with country.
The Lighting of the Sails is complemented with Sharing the Same Life Essence by Indigenous artist Wayne Quilliam, projected onto all four of the Sydney Harbour Bridge pylons during First Light.
This year, the Festival is bigger and brighter than ever before, with 11 CBD locations across Sydney, including Circular Quay, Sydney CBD, The Rocks, Barangaroo, Darling Harbour, Darling Square, Central Station, The Good Line, Luna Park and Taronga Zoo transformed with illuminating installations and unforgettable performances. This year is the first time that Central Station and the Goods Line has been activated, extending the Light Walk for a continuous 8km.
VIVID LIGHT
As the sun goes down the lights go up, with ‘Lights On’ at 6pm each night (and 5:30pm at Taronga Zoo), with illuminations, installations and interactivity at every turn. In an immersive world-first technology, Vivid Sydney has partnered with Cinewav, enabling visitors to listen to the soundtracks to select projection artworks wherever they are on the Light Walk. Highlights not to miss include:
- Two years in the making, the Sydney Opera House Lighting of the Sails will the incredible new digital artwork Yarrkulpa – Hunting Ground artwork by the Martu Artists and creative technologists Curiious, with an accompanying soundtrack by Electric Fields and Martu Artists.
- All four of the Sydney Harbour Bridge Pylons will be lit for the first time, featuring the Sydney Harbour Bridge 90th Birthday projection work by Spinifex Group. Historical archival footage spanning 100 years will share stories of connection.
- For the first time in Vivid Sydney history, both sides of the Sydney Harbour Bridge will sparkle with hundreds of colour-changing lights as part of Our Connected City. Twenty-one buildings in Sydney’s CBD will also illuminate with 200 dramatic searchlights beaming from the northern end of the Bridge, through The Rocks, around Circular Quay and onto the Sydney Opera House forecourt.
- Joining Vivid Sydney for the first time, Australian artist Ken Done has transformed Customs House at Circular Quay with For Sydney With Love. A love letter to Sydney, Ken’s signature art is animated for the first time in a clash of optimism, colour and delight in collaboration with Spinifex Group.
- Sure to be a crowd pleaser, Australia’s leading abstractionist Helen Eager has transformed the six-storey façade of the Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney with New York Sunday, an eight-minute visual journey that will electrify the senses. The visual dynamics are accentuated by an electronic composition by Sydney’s own, Paul Mac.
- Darling Harbour is now host to Australia’s largest liquid and light show with Sydney Infinity, created especially for Vivid Sydney. The tightly choreographed show uses technology never before seen in Australia for an eye-popping, grand spectacular that will appeal to kids and adults alike set to a fun Sydney inspired soundtrack by DJ Peewee Ferris.
- Barangaroo is hosting Nura, a collection of 150 colour-changing light pillars designed by Indigenous artist Warwick Keen in collaboration with creative producers Mandylights. Drawing inspiration from traditional tree carvings, the illuminated works create a walkable outdoor gallery.
- Wild Lights at Taronga Zoo has returned better than ever, with over 70 breathtaking animal lanterns from 14 unique species including three never-seen- before purpose-built and accessible installations.
- Endless Love takes centre stage above the Cahill Expressway in a celebration of the gravitational pull of Sydney Harbour. A nod to the golden age of neon and a perfect Vivid Sydney selfie moment, Endless Love stretches 26 metres along the expressway with huge 3D lettering.
- Convergence by Mandylights,will take-over a disused railway tunnel at the Goods Line with the largest laser installation in Vivid Sydney history. Over 100 custom-made lasers will dominate the space, shining a light on one of Sydney’s forgotten landmarks.
- The most immersive installation ever seen at Vivid Sydney, Vivid House, will transport festival-goers on an 3D sensory journey of visual and sonic experiences. Featuring three works – A Floating world, Progressum and Temple of Joy, this is one not to be missed.
