For over a decade, the event has been the ultimate technicolour playground for photographers, creatives and the Instagram-inclined alike.
And today, Vivid Sydney—one of the world’s largest light festivals that first began in 2009 with an eco-conscious ethos—once again raises its curtain for the 11th year to transform the Australian city into a full-on wonderland of light, colours, music and creativity.
The spectacular 23-night, city-wide effort by leading artists, music makers and innovative minds from the country as well as around the world is set to welcome some 2.3 millions of visitors.
They will be greeted with a spectacular host of multi-sensory light and art installations that will be illuminating some of the city’s most iconic architectural landmarks, from the Sydney Opera House to Sydney Harbour Bridge, Barangaroo, Darling Harbour and Circular Quay.
Among the highlights is the highly anticipated headlining showcase by Chinese-American artist and director Andrew Thomas Huang; titled Lighting of the Sails, this original work to be projected every evening onto the Sydney Opera House is a beautiful fusion of the hypnotic movements of contemporary dance and motion-capture technology.
Produced by dancing on a motion capture stage in front of projected images of the landmark, the choreography evokes the country’s botanic wonders from kangaroo paws to red beard orchids, as well as the opera house's fluid silhouette.
Families and nature lovers will surely find interest at the heritage-listed Taronga Zoo, which comes alive with a throng of giant, moving animal multimedia light sculptures. The theme of wildlife conservation takes centre stage as an illuminated trail leads you from rhinos to lions, chameleons, tiger cubs and of course the crowd-favourite koala bears set against the city's impressive flora and fauna.
Audiophiles looking to enjoy Sydney's famous outdoor live music culture? Don't miss shows by British alt-rock pioneers The Cure and chart-topping indie artist FKA twigs.
More immersive installations and projections, ideas exchange forums and debates with leading thinkers—illustrious director Spike Lee and renowned psychotherapist Esther Perel, just to name a few—add plenty of diversity and interest to the landmark programme that continues to put Australia's creative prowess on the world map.
Find out more at vividsydney.com
All photos courtesy of Destination NSW.
