“The biggest and brightest yet”: Vivid returns to Sydney
The iconic festival of lights is returning to Sydney after two years, in what event organisers have said will be a “fresh experience” for visitors.
Vivid Sydney is expected to return from Friday, May 27, bringing with it 47 installations and projections that will be scattered around the Sydney CBD, as well as a continuous 8-kilometre-long Light Walk from the Sydney Opera House to Central Station.
In a statement, Stuart Ayres, the Minister for Tourism and Sport, said the program would deliver joy and discovery to the CBD, plus even more reasons for visitors to descend on Sydney.
The installation, ‘Future Natives’, will see 200 species of birds line the long Light Walk from the Opera House to Central Station. Image: Chris Daniel/Vivid
“The 2022 program will be the biggest and brightest yet, with many festival-firsts, providing even more reasons for Sydneysiders and visitors from around the country - and all over the world - to immerse themselves in our city at its creative best,” he said.
Must-see installations from this year’s program include:
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For Sydney With Love, a projection of work by Sydney artist Ken Done’s 80-year love story with the city on Custom House;
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Earth Deities, a multi-limbed avatar built by Western Sydney artist Ramesh Mario Nithiyendran featuring animated fire and electricity and placed in The Rocks;
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Convergence, an immersive journey through the disused Goods Line railway at Central Station that will be the largest scale laser installation in the festival’s history;
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Future Natives, a way-finding sculpture installation spread across the Light Walk featuring a flock of 200 Sydney bird species, built by Sydney artist Chris Daniel.
'For Sydney With Love' will be splashed across Sydney's Custom House as part of the festivities. Image: Spinifex Group/Vivid
Writing for the NZ Herald, Festival Director Gill Minervini said Vivid would be the perfect time for New Zealanders to visit, and it would be the best time to explore beyond the tourist hotspots and be immersed in the city “at its creative best”.
Boasted as the largest scale laser installation the festival has hosted, ‘Convergence’ is a light and sound show bound to engage all the senses. Image: Mandylight/Vivid
“If you’re planning a trip to Sydney, I find most visitors don’t know about the city’s great neighbourhood villages - where you’ll find all the locals relaxing,” she suggested, adding that she recommended visitors also pick up some great local wine.
“Paddington, Newtown, Balmain, Parramatta, Cronulla all possess their own unique character and celebrate the essence of what makes Sydney authentically unique: its people, places and heart.”
Image: Jessica Maurer & Kane Sullivan/Vivid