Vivid Sydney, the world’s largest festival of light, music and ideas, lit up the Harbour City as the much anticipated annual 18 day event, on this year from 22 May to 8 June, got underway. Sydney’s iconic landmarks, its Harbour and urban spaces were transformed by 3D projections and over 60 light installations including the sails of the World Heritage Sydney Opera House.
Vivid Sydney sets the City A-Glow
Just seven years since it first began, Vivid Sydney will again take its visitors from across the world on a journey of creative discovery using light, music and ideas as its platform. Last year the Festival welcomed 1.43 million people. “For 18 days and nights visitors will experience Sydney like never before as the city bursts with creativity and sheer, brilliant light. It’s truly an un-missable event, and one which we are very proud of,” said NSW Minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events, Stuart Ayres.
Vivid Light stretches across The Rocks, Circular Quay, Darling Harbour, Walsh Bay, Martin Place in the Central Business District, The Star & Pyrmont as well as new areas for Vivid in 2015 — Central Park in Chippendale, awarded the world’s best tall building, and Chatswood to the city’s north. Lighting artists from around the world were invited to submit their creative ideas, with 140 chosen from 16 countries to create their unique works during Vivid Sydney.
The Vivid Music program of cutting edge music including Vivid LIVE at Sydney Opera House showcases unique performances and collaborations, presenting over 90 performances in venues across the city including Grace Jones, Sufjan Stevens, Daniel Johns and legendary Australian band The Hoodoo Gurus.
Vivid Ideas brings audiences some of the most intelligent and creative minds, who will be together for talks, seminars, conferences, workshops and forums on a grand scale. With 150 sessions and over 400 speakers, the Vivid Ideas program boasts highlights including Multi-Emmy winning writer Matthew Weiner — series creator and exec producer of Mad Men and former executive producer of The Sopranos, and Tyler Brule, founder of Wallpaper and Monocle magazines and one of the most influential global figures in publishing and branding. Weiner and Brule will share their insights following their worldwide success in the creative industry.
“Each and every year, Vivid Sydney aims to connect and inspire people in a shared, vibrant, multi-coloured experience. Vivid Sydney puts art into the hands of the public, giving visitors a visually triumphant feast of artistic and technical innovation,” said Sandra Chipchase, Chief Executive Office of Destination NSW, the State Government’s tourism and major events agency, which owns and manages Vivid Sydney.
