This year, Vivid Sydney’s program is bigger, brighter and more brilliant than ever. Between May 27 and June 18, the foreshores of Sydney’s CBD and buildings of the CBD will become a canvas for well-established and emerging artists. Take a journey through the city and its surrounds to see some amazing light installations.
Starting at the Sydney Opera House’s Lighting of the Sails, creative technologists Curiious and Martumili Artists will bring to life Yarrkalpa – Hunting Ground (2021), a collective work which will spread across the spectacular sails, extending the artists’ stories beyond the gallery walls.
The new digital artwork celebrates the Martu’s knowledge of the land and explores the language and development of the painting itself. This is the second collaboration with First Nations artists for the Lighting of the Sails event.
Future Natives is a wayfinding installation which will guide festival-goers along the Light Walk, featuring 200 sculptural LED birds.
Each bird will carry the colours of one of our most vibrant species. The sculptures can be found along the walk from the Sydney Opera House to Central Station, with the placement of the native birds acting as a path that connects all the artworks.
It’s not just the birds that will be connected by lights during this year’s Vivid Sydney festival. Our Connected City will see both sides of the Sydney Harbour Bridge light up with hundreds of changing lights.
A ribbon of light will pulse colours from the northern end of the Harbour Bridge through to The Rocks, around Circular Quay and onto the Sydney Opera House forecourt. The lights will be able to be seen upwards into the night sky and reflected in the mirror-like waters of Circular Quay.
Still on the foreshore, don’t miss the Endless Love piece. The super-scale installation inspires hopes, dreams and aspirations and reflects our passion, compassion and free spirit. The installation can be seen above Circular Quay train station.
Walk towards The Rocks where you will find Ninget Universe a whimsical and colourful consortium of artworks which will be beamed on the buildings around the heritage precinct. Artist Luca French aged 11, hand drew each of the creatures. He created these drawings during lockdown and is the youngest Vivid Sydney artist.
Walk to Darling Harbour, where you will see Sydney Infinity, an installation built for Vivid Sydney, blasting jets of water 80 metres high into the sky. Along with each jet of water comes a percussive sound that radiates from the blast wave. The infinity shape installation creates a 250 metre path of robotic fountains.
Bump in the Night will take place at Tumbalong Park. Designed for families, the installation of lit-up coloured tents emits native Australian animal sounds. As you walk through the campground any noise you make could wake up the campers resulting in the waving of hand torches.
At Central Station and along the Goods Line in Haymarket, A Mirrored City weaves through life in Sydney’s suburbs. Films of Sydney locales such as Oxford Street and the Northern Beaches will be beamed onto mirror-finished structures.
Central Station will also be home to Vivid Reflections. The experience uses motion-capture technology to turn your movements into animated actions. You are then beamed onto the station’s landmark clock tower.
And for animal lovers, Wild Life at Taronga Zoo glows with vibrant artistic animal adventures where you can immerse yourself in the brilliant biodiversity. Creatures from the land, sky and sea will emerge in the spectacle through the magic of light. The zoo will be bathed in a rainbow of colour with innovative and inclusive installations. The idea is for wild species to make a comeback to a healthy and shared planet that shines bright for all.
Explore more: Vivid Sydney will be held May 27-June 18. Vividsydney.com.
Where to stay
Holiday Inn Darling Harbour is offering three nights with Vivid Sydney Harbour Lights Cruise, breakfast daily and an $850 bonus value. Prices start at $379 per person.
Stay at Park Regis City Centre for two nights with Vivid Sydney Harbour Lights Cruise, room upgrade, complimentary wine on arrival and $450 bonus value. Prices are from $189 per person.
Where to dine
Experience multi-sensory dining on The Rocks with RedBalloon. You’ll get a three-course menu, unlimited two-hour beverage pack, RedBalloon inspired Vivid Sydney cocktail on arrival and a unique Vivid Sydney digital experience. Prices are $265 per person.
What to do
Book Vivid Wild Lights at Taronga Zoo for $26.95 per person or a BYO Vivid Sydney Catamaran Cruise for $25 per person.
Experience Vivid Sydney from the top of Sydney Tower Eye on May 27, with a Vivid Skywalk for $59.80 per person.
Explore more: vividsydney.com
