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“The biggest and brightest yet”: Vivid returns to Sydney

<p dir="ltr">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.</p> <p dir="ltr">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.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-224c77ed-7fff-3ab9-a8e1-9b21a6537afd"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">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.</p> <p dir="ltr"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/03/vivid-2022-1.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>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</em></p> <p dir="ltr">“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.</p> <p dir="ltr">Must-see installations from this year’s program include:</p> <ul> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation"><em>For Sydney With Love</em>, a projection of work by Sydney artist Ken Done’s 80-year love story with the city on Custom House; </p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation"><em>Earth Deities</em>, a multi-limbed avatar built by Western Sydney artist Ramesh Mario Nithiyendran featuring animated fire and electricity and placed in The Rocks;</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation"><em>Convergence</em>, 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;</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation"><em>Future Natives</em>, a way-finding sculpture installation spread across the Light Walk featuring a flock of 200 Sydney bird species, built by Sydney artist Chris Daniel.</p> </li> </ul> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-34767a2f-7fff-6dca-2e38-f39fe6777511"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/03/vivid-2022-3.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>'For Sydney With Love' will be splashed across Sydney's Custom House as part of the festivities. Image: Spinifex Group/Vivid</em></p> <p dir="ltr">Writing for the <em><a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/travel/insiders-guide-to-vivid-sydney-2022/P3GV2TFKWYQC6CYGAAM5KG27EY/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NZ Herald</a></em>, 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”.</p> <p dir="ltr"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/03/vivid-2022-2.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>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</em></p> <p dir="ltr">“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.</p> <p dir="ltr">“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.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-5b49d3f1-7fff-a447-6a85-d3502aae3342"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Jessica Maurer &amp; Kane Sullivan/Vivid</em></p>

Domestic Travel

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2017 is the year to visit Vivid Sydney

<p>The countdown to Vivid Sydney is well and truly on. Over 23 nights, from Friday 26 May to Saturday 17 June, the Harbour City will feature 90 installations and projections from 180 Australian and international artists. Here are five reasons 2017 is the year to see the world’s largest celebration of light, music and ideas.</p> <p><strong>1. Expanded line-up</strong></p> <p>2017 is going to be the biggest Vivid Sydney we’ve even seen we more than 400 Vivid Music events, 260 Vivid Ideas sessions and 370 speakers from 12 countries across 67 venues. If there’s ever been a year to experience Vivid, this is the one!</p> <p><strong>2. New precinct</strong></p> <p>After last year’s success, Vivid Sydney 2017 is bringing its festival to Barangaroo (South) for the first time, expanding the offering to seven precincts which will feature breathtaking brilliance of over 90 installations and projections.</p> <p><strong>3. Festival buzz</strong></p> <p>Vivid Sydney has become more and more popular each year and the 2017 iteration is expected to be its biggest one yet. NSW Minister for Tourism and Major Events Adam Marshall says, “Vivid Sydney’s biggest-ever program follows last year’s record-breaking festival, which saw more than 2.31 million attendees, including more than 184,000 overnight domestic and international visitors.”</p> <p><iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/208110900" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" webkitallowfullscreen="" mozallowfullscreen="" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p> <p><strong>4. The best of the Harbour City</strong></p> <p>Vivid Sydney truly is an opportunity to see the Harbour City at its brightest and most beautiful, and the city is buzzing in anticipation. As Mr Marshall says, “As we countdown to opening night, preparations are in their final stages, with special effects being tested, kilometres of cable and fibre optics being rolled out, thousands of lights ready to be installed and Vivid themed-menus being finessed by Sydney’s top chefs and restaurateurs.”</p> <p><strong>5. Once in a lifetime displays</strong></p> <p>As you can see when you scroll through the gallery above, Vivid Sydney is a once in a lifetime opportunity to see the Harbour City transformed as you never have before. As Mr Marshall says, “Now is the perfect time for visitors to start planning their trip, and the best way to experience Vivid Sydney is to explore several precincts over different nights to take in all the lights and the sights.”</p> <p><em>Vivid Sydney takes place over 23 nights, from Friday 26 May to Saturday 17 June. For more information or to plan your own trip, <a href="https://www.vividsydney.com/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>click here</strong></span></a>. </em></p>

International Travel

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Best photos from Sydney Vivid Festival opening weekend

<p>Thousands of Sydneysiders braved the cold over the weekend to see the Harbour City transformed as part of the city’s spectacular Vivid Festival.</p> <p>With a program spanning 23 days between May 27 and June 18, Vivid Sydney is one of the world’s largest festivals of light, music and ideas. Last year Vivid featured more than 80 displays, with a turnout of more than 1.7 million visitors.</p> <p>Festival creative director Ignatius Jones told <em>News.com.au</em>, “We invite light artists from around the world — old and young, famous and unknown, students and professors, and crazy combinations of both — to submit their artwork to us through a global expression of interest.”</p> <p>“The result is that each year Vivid Sydney is new and current, representing what’s hot and happening in that wonderful place where art meets technology and changes our lives.”</p> <p>In case you didn’t make it out to the festival, we’ve put together a collection of the best photos in the gallery above. Which one’s your favourite?</p> <p>Please let us know in the comments below. </p> <p><em>Image credit: Twitter / Dameyon Bonson</em></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/news/news/2016/04/cat-meets-dogs-at-dog-show/" target="_blank">Watch this friendly cat meet 50 dogs at a dog show</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/news/news/2016/04/prince-george-president-barack-obama-photos/" target="_blank">The story behind Prince George’s presidential photos</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/news/news/2016/04/lifeguard-helps-wheelchair-bound-veteran-surf/" target="_blank">Lifeguard helps make wheelchair-bound army vet's dream come true</a></strong></em></span></p>

International Travel