Vivid Sydney 2015: Biggest Ever Program Announced

Expansion into city suburbs Chatswood and Central Park

Over 60 Lighting Installations and Projections

Expanded Music Program and Australian exclusives including The Hoodoo Gurus and Daniel Johns

Award-winning, Australian-first global speakers at Vivid Ideas

Vivid Sydney is set to shine even more brightly in 2015 when the world’s largest festival of light, music and ideas delivers its biggest program yet. For 18 nights, from 22 May – 8 June, Vivid Sydney will again transform the city and harbour.The 2015 program includes expansion into new city precincts Chatswood and Central Park, its biggest ever music program including Australian exclusives such as The Hoodoo Gurus at the Powerhouse Museum and Daniel Johns’ international solo debut at the Sydney Opera House, and heavy-hitting speakers at Vivid Ideas.

Vivid Sydney, now in its seventh year, is owned and managed by the NSW Government’s tourism and major events agency Destination NSW.

Destination NSW Chief Executive Officer Sandra Chipchase said: “Vivid Sydney is an incredible public event that has seen amazing growth, attracting a record 1.43 million attendees in 2014. It’s the largest festival of its kind in the world, and with our biggest program yet, there’s even more to love about Vivid Sydney this year.

“While the heart of Vivid Light is still beating strongly in and around Circular Quay, Vivid Sydney is spreading even further into the city suburbs, with Central Park and Chatswood joining the program this year,” Ms Chipchase said.

“Favourite locations Circular Quay, Walsh Bay, Martin Place, and Darling Harbour are back with over 60 light installations and projections with even more opportunity for visitors to get hands on, more water theatre shows – this time with lasers and fire – and new and expanded programming at Pyrmont & The Star and the University of Sydney. The sandstone canvases of Customs House and the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia (MCA) will also return with spectacular new 3D projections.

“With all eyes on the Sydney Opera House, Lighting Of The Sails will once again take its place as the centrepiece of the amazing light spectacular during Vivid Sydney, with Universal Everything promising awe-inspiring projections that will reimagine the architecture as a living mural, with a diverse series of vibrant, hand-drawn sequences.

Vivid Music will introduce its most expansive program yet, featuring more shows and venues and an impressive line-up of local and international talent,” she said.

The Hoodoo Gurus will perform an exclusive one-off show at the Powerhouse Museum and a new line up of cutting edge, innovative performances will be held across the city at new venues Goodgod Small Club, Oxford Art Factory and Freda’s, with the Seymour Centre, The Basement, The Argyle and Barrio Cellar part of the line-up again in 2015.

Part of the Vivid Music program, Vivid LIVE at the Sydney Opera House features a 10-night run of exclusive Sydney-only performances and for the first time will also include two large scale outdoor events, internal light projections and an event for kids and families. Features include four exclusive performances from Morrissey, Daniel Johns in his international solo debut, Sufjan Stevens in his only Australian performances and FCX – 10 Years of Future Classics featuring Flume and Flight Facilities. With a line-up of heavy-hitting speakers, Vivid Ideas introduces The Game Changers, a new talk series this year headlined by three global influencers: multi Emmy-winning writer Matthew Weiner, series creator and executive producer of Mad Men and former executive producer and writer on The Sopranos; Grammy-winning designer Stefan Sagmeister, whose clients include the Rolling Stones, Lou Reed and the Guggenheim Museum; and entrepreneur and publisher Tyler Brûlé, founder of the world-famous magazines Wallpaper and Monocle.

“With such an amazing festival planned, Destination NSW will continue to work with the travel industry to encourage visitation to Sydney from across Australia and the globe for this incredible event. We aim to build on the results from last year when more than 20,000 international visitors travelled to Sydney on dedicated Vivid Sydney travel packages,” Ms Chipchase said.

Vivid Sydney will also work with event partners, land owners and a new accessibility specialist to build on the positive initiatives undertaken last year.

“A new sustainability partnership with The Banksia Foundation will also further develop Vivid Sydney’s sustainability agenda which includes recycling assets, environmental waste management practises and improved energy efficiency,” she said.

Vivid Sydney welcomes the return of Intel, a world-leader in computing technology, as event partner for the fifth consecutive year. 2015 Supporters include Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority, City of Sydney, Sydney Opera house, The Star, Canon, Indeed, 32 Hundred Lighting, Oracle and TDC.

Some of the highlights of Vivid Sydney 2015 program:

Where What When
Sydney Opera House Design collective Universal Everything will be Lighting the Sails with spectacular projections. Nightly from 6pm
Customs House Enchanted Sydney by Spinifex, a continually evolving and blossoming world with free-flowing images of Sydney’s flora and fauna. Nightly from 6pm
MCA (sandstone original building) Mechanised Colour Assemblage by Danny Rose and Rebecca Baumann transforms the MCA into a series of sound and colour machines. Nightly from 6pm
Sydney Harbour, Circular Quay, The Rocks and Walsh Bay Harbour Lights returns with boats lit up, floating on the Harbour in a symphony of colour, Paint the Town allows visitors to illuminate the city’s skyscrapers, plus more than 60 light installations adorn the harbour foreshore. Nightly from 6pm
Martin Place The daytime centre of the city is illuminated at night with installations including Transcendence, an impressive towering structure featuring mesmerising projection mapping, code-driven light shows and divine fare from Sydney’s hippest purveyors of food and beverage. Nightly from 6pm
Darling Harbour Vivid Laser-Fountain Water Theatre presented by Oracle-Liquid is a choreographed audio visual symphony featuring fountain jets and spirals, colour lighting, rainbow lasers and dancing flames. Nightly from 6pm
Central Park STREETS AHEAD featuring projections from contemporary artists Reko Rennie and Beastman onto the heritage Carlton & United Brewery façade, plus Silent Discos every Friday and Saturday. Nightly from 6pm
University Of Sydney Vivid Path to the Future, a week long program of light, music and ideas with spectacular 3D mapped projections and a light walk. 25-31 May
Pyrmont & The Star Vivid Sydney Game Zone, a buzzing multisensory entertainment precinct with interactive installations at Pyrmont Bay Park and Sky Terrace at The Star. Nightly from 6pm
Chatswood Aquatic Wonderland, a mesmerising water world featuring giant sea creatures and an animated aquarium, culminating in a beautifully-illustrated 3D animation set over the façade of The Concourse. Nightly from 6pm to 11pm
Vivid LIVE at Sydney Opera House Morrissey, Daniel Johns, Sufjan Stevens and FCX – 10 Years of Future Classic featuring Flume and Flight Facilities. 22 May to 8 June
Vivid Music Hoodoo Gurus at Powerhouse Museum, Modulations at Carriageworks, the Seymour Centre and new venues Oxford Art Factory, Freda’s and Goodgod Small Club. 22 May to 8 June
Vivid Ideas The Game Changers talk series with Matthew Weiner, Stefan Sagmeister and Tyler Brûlé, plus the Vivid Ideas Exchange sessions at the MCA. 22 May to 8 June

For more information on Vivid Sydney, visit www.vividsydney.com.

Unannounced: Two Sydney Harbour Bridge Light Shows For Vivid Sydney 2014 & More!

Second Sydney Harbour Bridge Light Show For Vivid Sydney 2014 – ‘The Vivid Climb’

For the first time in 2014, turn the ‘climb of your life’ into your very own light show thanks to BridgeClimb Sydney. By wearing a special ‘Vivid Climb’ vest, your heartbeat brightens up the summit of the Sydney Harbour Bridge in your own personal light show. As your heart beats, the Bridge beats. Be at one with the structure as your heartbeat brightens up the summit in a vibrant light show. Your display will be as unique as you – the lights will react based on your exhilaration. The ‘Vivid Climb’ will only be available during all climbs departing at night during Vivid Sydney (23 May – 9 June 2014). A ‘Vivid Climb’ in Mandarin departs at 5pm each night during Vivid Sydney.

The Star Features In Vivid Sydney For The First Time In 2014

For the first time in 2014, The Star joins Vivid Sydney as the entire façade of the Astral Tower, The Darling hotel and Sky Terrace rooftop is transformed into a massive light show. The spectacular show will be visible from many vantage points across the city including the Barangaroo-Darling Harbour-Pyrmont precinct. And exclusively at The Star, highlights of Vivid from across the city will be show at the Vivid Bar while guests soak up the ambiance. Sip on a Vivid-inspired cocktail, enjoy great accommodation and dining packages, as well as the entertainment on offer at The Star. The Astral Tower is lit by The Electric Canvas every night from 6pm to midnight, 23 May to 9 June 2014.

Artist Impression By The Electric Canvas
Artist Impression By The Electric Canvas

Vivid Photography

Looking for helpful hints to capture the colours of Vivid Sydney 2014? Representatives from Canon Australia will be in the Light Walk precinct to help you get the best results. For useful camera tips, go to canon.com.au/imagespectrum. Vantage points for photographers are located around the Harbour from North Sydney and Luna Park to the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Dawes Point, Cockle Bay and Pyrmont Bridge. Share your Vivid photos with #vividsydney.

Sydney in Winter: Love Every Second Magazine

A 40-page full colour magazine titled ‘Sydney in Winter: Love Every Second’ , has been inserted into more than 2 million newspapers across Australia and New Zealand from Sunday 30 March 2014. It features over 20 dedicated pages to Vivid Sydney 2014 and will also be available on the Apple Newsstand from early May 2014. Distribution of the magazine will cease around late July 2014.

MIDLAKE Play Vivid LIVE At The Sydney Opera House

Rewiring fan favourites and their cult hits with a freewheeling honesty on stage, MIDLAKE return in adventurous form for a startling new chapter – a band re-born for a heart-rending opening to Vivid LIVE At The Sydney Opera House on Friday May 23rd May 2014 at 8:30pm. Tickets went on sale at 9am on Monday 31st March 2014.

MIDLAKE  Photograph: Vivid Sydney 2014
MIDLAKE
Photograph: Vivid Sydney 2014

Second James Vincent McMorrow Performance For Vivid LIVE At The Sydney Opera House 2014

Miss out on tickets to James Vincent McMorrow at Vivid LIVE At The Sydney Opera House? Never fear! They have announced a second performance for Saturday May 31!  Tickets went on sale at 9am on April 9.

James Vincent McMorrow Photograph: Vivid LIVE
James Vincent McMorrow
Photograph: Vivid LIVE 2014

Stand Up, Stand Out: Call For Applications

Here’s your chance to win $3,000! As part of Vivid Ideas 2014, Pozible presents ‘Stand Up, Stand Out’, a one night only live pitching event to take place at the Museum of Contemporary Art. 4 selected participants will be asked to deliver a 5 minute pitch of their creative crowdfunding campaign to a live audience as well as a 5-10 minute performance of what they do – be that a film screening, music performance, fashion show or anything else! The event will be hosted by Sydney comedian, filmmaker, writer and successful Pozible crowdfunder Dan Ilic, who raised more than $50,000 to create a 10 week satirical comedy, A Rational Fear. On the night every member of the audience will have $30 to pledge to their favourite pitch. All projects must have a $30 reward to offer in return for pledges. All support received by projects on the night will go towards their campaigns. Once all pitches have been made the number of pledges for each project will be tallied and the one with the most will receive a further $3000 thanks to Foxtel’s arts & entertainment channel STUDIO. Pozible is accepting submissions from creatives for ‘Stand Up, Stand Out‘ until April 20.

Photograph: Vivid Sydney 2014
Photograph: Vivid Sydney 2014

Sydney Film Festival Preview

Here are 26 films to feature at the 2014 Sydney Film Festival:

  • Altman on Altman (On Sale Now)
  • Black Coal, Thin Ice
  • Cold in July
  • E-Team
  • Frank
  • Gabrielle
  • God Help the Girl
  • Is the Man Who Is Tall Happy?
  • Joe
  • Killers
  • Love Is Strange
  • The Lunchbox
  • Nelson Mandela: The Myth and Me
  • Omar
  • Particle Fever
  • Pulp
  • The Redfern Story
  • Rosebud Exhibition at the Hub
  • Ruin
  • Sepideh: Reaching for the Stars
  • The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (On Sale Now)
  • Tom at the Farm
  • Ukraine Is Not a Brothel
  • The Unknown Known
  • Watermark
  • We Are the Best!

Sydney Film Festival 2014 Flexipasses are also now on sale. If you buy a Flexipass before April 24th, you will automatically go into the draw to win a VIP Opening Night Gala experience for two. Sydney Film Festival runs June 4 – 15 2014.

'God Help The Girl' Photograph: Vivid Sydney 2014
‘God Help The Girl’
Photograph: Vivid Sydney 2014

New Wave: Sound at Vivid Sydney 2014

  • Collarbones Meets Synergy Percussion

Premiere Performance: Best of Collarbones, all original sound-design remix like never before. Live percussion and digital wizardry thrash it out on stage in this coming-together of two musical powerhouses. Synergy’s raw, delicate and brutal percussion soundscape is the perfect prism for re-imagining Collarbones’ catchy rhythmic asymmetries, mesmeric harmonies and intricately layered detail. Acoustic percussion textures are manipulated live, Marcus’ hefty soulful voice rises out of the chaos, beats drop and then recede against a spare but cinematic musical backdrop. Tickets went on sale on 12th April.

'Collarbones' Image courtesy of 'Collarbones'
‘Collarbones’
Image courtesy of ‘Collarbones’
  • The Adventures of Prince Achmed

The Adventures of Prince Achmed (1926) is a silent silhouette animation by Lotte Reineger, considered by many to be the first feature-length animated film. The story, taken from The Arabian Nights, takes you on a fantastical journey, where you encounter a wicked sorcerer, a magical flying horse, an army of monsters and demons, a beautiful princess, and, of course, Aladdin and his magic lamp. The music combines both a live band and a pre-recorded electronic soundtrack, in a boundary-crossing style that includes jazz, blues, rock, classical, electronica and new music. Composer Phillip Johnston has been creating new scores for silent films for 25 years, and has performed his work in the United States, Europe and Australia, at venues that include the New York Film Festival, The Philadelphia Festival of World Cinema, the Roma Jazz & Image Festival (ITALY), Rote Fabrik (Switzerland), as well as the Melbourne International Festival of the Arts, the Sydney Film Festival, and the Sydney Opera House. The Adventures of Prince Achmed is a cutting-edge work of new music and silent film that is fun for the whole family! Tickets went on sale on the 21st April 2014.

Image: Vivid Sydney 2014
Image: Vivid Sydney 2014

The Sydney Opera House Tour – Celebrating VIVID LIVE

Concerts and lights aren’t the only things to see at Vivid LIVE At The Sydney Opera House 2014 – step behind the scenes and experience their state-of-the-art recording studio, where the artists warm-up, and much more with The Sydney Opera House Tour – Celebrating VIVID LIVE!

The Sydney Opera House Tour - Celebrating VIVID LIVE Photograph: Vivid LIVE
The Sydney Opera House Tour – Celebrating VIVID LIVE
Photograph: Vivid LIVE 2014

The Loop’s Portfolio Masterclasses

Hosted by The Loop at Vivid Sydney 2014, get feedback from the professionals on your portfolio (advertising, graphic design, fashion, photography plus more!).

Industry Insight – Graphic Design In 2020

Want to know what trends we will be navigating  in the next 6 years? Experts give their top 3 picks at Industry Insight – Graphic Design In 2020 at Vivid Sydney 2014.

The Internet Of Things – From Electric Dreams to Reality

Tickets are now on sale to get schooled on the emerging ‘Internet of Things – From Electric Dreams to Reality’ at Vivid Sydney 2014. You can get an early bird discount plus access to an IRL after-party with drinks & canapés.

The Big (Shift) To Smarter Working

9am to 5pm? Yawn! The Big (Shift) To Smarter Working will explain how work is changing and why that’s a good thing at Vivid Sydney 2014.

A Cheat’s Guide To Getting That Thing Off The Ground

Hindsight is 20/20 – Hear 4 self-starters tell what they’d do differently if starting-up from scratch at A Cheat’s Guide To Getting That Thing Off The Ground, hosted by Junkee at Vivid Sydney 2014.

‘Making Iconic Houses’ – Iconic Houses Talk Series 

Grand Designs’ Peter Maddison and Karen McCartney explain once and for all what makes a house iconic at ‘Making Iconic Houses’ – Iconic Houses Talk Series held during Vivid Sydney 2014.

Appetite For Distraction

The findings from one of the most in-depth studies into how 16-30 year olds share information is revealed at Appetite For Distraction held during Vivid Sydney 2014.

Photograph: Vivid Ideas 2014
Photograph: Vivid Ideas 2014

Blog Society: The Retreat

From labour of love to full-time job – learn how to evolve your blog at this crash course titled Blog Society: The Retreat at Vivid Sydney 2014.

'Blog Society; The Retreat'  Image: Vivid Ideas 2014.
‘Blog Society: The Retreat’
Image: Vivid Ideas 2014

Designers’ Den

It all comes down to the survival of the best designs at Designers’ Den during Vivid Sydney 2014! Witness the design process in action as they throw emerging designers to the industry’s Design Dragons. At the event, a pre-selected number of contestants will be invited to present their designs to a panel of industry experts before a live audience in a suspense filled game-show format. At Designers’ Den contestants have a unique opportunity to present their ‘idea’ to our carefully curated panel to gather invaluable feedback in their quest for design survival. Our panel of experts represents various ways that success can be defined, through different facets and approaches of the ‘design to market’ process.

Photograph: Vivid Ideas 2014
Photograph: Vivid Ideas 2014

China Australia Millennial Project (CAMP) Workshop

Contribute to the first ever crowd-sourced China-Australia ideas jam on June 2 2014 via this international workshop at Vivid Sydney 2014. Within Vivid Ideas 2015, 100 young innovators from China will touch down in Sydney and collaborate with 100 peers from Australia. Together, participants will hack into the Australia-China relationship to create new solutions for issues common to both our countries.  In order to shape this world-first event in 2015, this June 2014 workshop is inviting key influencers (you) in innovation, entrepreneurship, social change and investment and across sectors such as creative industries, education, science and technology, business, government and more. The workshop is an exciting opportunity to explore and learn about international relations in an increasingly globalised world, and a genuine opportunity to co-create a new way for two nations to craft the future.

Photograph: Vivid ideas 2014
Photograph: Vivid Ideas 2014

Cinecity: Making

30 short film screenings about architecture selected by world-renowned experts at Vivid Sydney 2014.

Photograph: Vivid Ideas 2014
Photograph: Vivid Ideas 2014

Made For People: Wearable Tech & Healthcare

Wearable technology and healthcare trends and forecasts from market leaders Google, Samsung USA, Microsoft, Nike, and more as part of Made For People: Wearable Tech & Healthcare at Vivid Sydney 2014.

Image: Vivid Ideas 2014
Image: Vivid Ideas 2014

Sydney New Year’s Eve 2013 – ‘Shine’ Banners & Lanyards Sold Out!

The Sydney New Year’s Eve 2013 – ‘Shine’ banners & lanyards are now sold out.

NSW Lotteries Scratch eClub – Instant Scratch-Its National Treasure Second Chance Draw Promotion

Are you a member of NSW Lotteries’ Scratch eClub? Well if you purchase a ‘NSW Lotteries $2 National Treasure Instant Scratch-Its Ticket‘ and lose, log on to the NSW Lotteries Scratch eClub website and proceed to the entry page for the ‘NSW Lotteries Scratch eClub – Instant Scratch-Its National Treasure Second Chance Draw Promotion’. Enter the SYS code and you will go into the running to win a $12,000 Sydney New Year’s Eve 2014 holiday package for you and 3 friends which include:

  • A return economy flight to Sydney from the main commercial airport nearest the winner’s residence in New South Wales, with flights to be scheduled between 30 December 2014 and 4 January 2015;
  • 3 nights’ accommodation at a 4 star hotel in Sydney of the promoter’s choice consisting of a total of two rooms with each room being for two people twin share for three nights between 30 December 2014 and 4 January 2015;
  • Tickets to a New Year’s Eve event located in the vicinity of Circular Quay in Sydney to be held on 31 December 2014, which will include viewing of the Sydney New Year’s Eve 2014 fireworks, general entertainment and limited food;
  • Travel transfers in Sydney consisting of a return transfer in a chauffeur driven black sedan car from Sydney Domestic Airport to a four star hotel in Sydney chosen by the promoter
  • $1,000 spending money for the winner

Competition runs from 12am AEST Monday 14th April 2014 until 11:59pm AEST Monday 12th May 2014. Terms and conditions apply. Gamble responsibly.

A Bigger, Brighter ‘Vivid Sydney’ For 2014

Vivid Sydney is set to enthral audiences once again with the largest program of light, music and ideas in its six year history, NSW Deputy Premier and Minister for Trade and Investment Andrew Stoner announced today. The 18 day festival, named Australia’s Event of the Year in 2013, is on from 23 May to 9 June.

Vivid Sydney is a signature event in the Sydney and NSW Events Calendar, and welcomes back Vivid Sydney partner Intel, with major supporters for 2014, Canon, Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority, City of Sydney, Sydney Opera House, NSW Trade and Investment and North Sydney Council.

“Every year Vivid Sydney brings something new, bigger and brighter to wow the hundreds of thousands of people who come to see the event. Vivid Sydney 2014 promises to be nothing short of amazing, with creative industries events, eclectic music performances and spectacular light displays that will transform Sydney’s harbour foreshore and surrounds,” Mr Stoner said.

“In 2013, over 800,000 people came to Vivid Sydney, which is owned and managed by Destination NSW, the Government’s Tourism and Major Events agency. The event contributed over $20million in new money to the NSW economy, and shone a spotlight on the State’s creative industries, establishing new connections and opportunities across the many areas of business that Vivid Sydney spans. 2014 is set to be even more successful.”

VIVID LIGHT

“This year for the first time, the harbour will join in like never before, with Harbour Lights – ferries and vessels decked out in LED lights, their colours computer-controlled by satellite navigation as they pass through the world’s most beautiful harbour. The new CBD precinct Martin Place will dazzle audiences with giant light installations, and new Vivid programming at Carriageworks, the Seymour Centre, Sydney University and The Basement will take the event and its music content, into more locations than ever before,” said Mr Stoner.

“Of course, the Lighting Of The Sails of the Sydney Opera House is one of the festival’s most anticipated highlights, which I am pleased to announce will be designed by the award-winning creative agency 59 Productions, renowned for their work on the London Olympic Games’ Opening Ceremony and the West-end show War Horse. The Sails are set for a stunning arrangement of 3D-mapped projections.

“The sandstone facades of Customs House and the MCA will once again be bathed in light through collaborations with local and international artists, and new light installations are set to utterly absorb every visitor, including for the first time, five works commissioned by Destination NSW.

“And after the huge success of last year, the Sydney Harbour Bridge will once again be lit by visitors with a stunning colour palette, making this a very special coat hanger indeed.

Darling Harbour will be transformed by a spectacular water show with fountains, water jets and lasers as Aquatique, the French pioneers of dancing fountains, return again to Vivid – this year with a water show twice the size of last year, spanning two-thirds of the Bay.

“The foreshore running from East Circular Quay right around to Campbell’s Cove and Walsh Bay will become both a playground and a gallery, with over 50 new light installations, in a program full of both interactive installations and stunning works of art, curated by Vivid Light Festival Director Anthony Bastic,” Mr Stoner said.

VIVID MUSIC

With music events a favourite in the Vivid Sydney line up, Vivid Music is expanding in 2014 with an exciting line up of performances and talent as well as expanding into new venues, with new and bigger programs and more content to be announced in the coming weeks.

“The core of Vivid Music, Vivid LIVE at the Sydney Opera House curated by Fergus Linehan, will see another fantastic line-up including Pixies, Giorgio Moroder, and Timeline, a special collaboration between the Australian Chamber Orchestra, led by Richard Tognetti and electro-pop duo The Presets – in which they present the history of music in two hours,’ Mr Stoner said.

“Expanding into Redfern, a new event has been created for Vivid Sydney this year – Modulations at Carriageworks (6-8 June). Modulations, curated by the extraordinary Steve Pavlovic, brings together the best talent across music, light installations, design and food. It will be headlined by multi-award winning electronic pop legends Pet Shop Boys – their performance a rare opportunity to experience a spectacular multi-media production in an intimate and immersive environment, and their only Australian performances of their 2013/14 Electric World Tour.”

VIVID IDEAS

Vivid Ideas features 15 signature events with 12 keynote talks from globally recognised designer and artist Candy Chang; media strategist and expert in unconventional marketing Ryan Holiday; Sara Critchfield, editorial director of Upworthy – the fastest growing media company of all time; global leader of the 4D printing movement Skylar Tibbits; and director Joshy D of REBEL8, one of the world’s most credible youth brands.

“With a strong role to play in showcasing our creative industries to the world, the Vivid Ideas program has also expanded. The Vivid Ideas Exchange on Level 6 of the MCA is once again at the heart of the program, this year featuring creative ideas, public talks, industry seminars, conferences, workshops and debates, structured around eight ‘content clusters’, spanning digital media and design to architecture, animation, fashion to filmmaking, and beyond,” said Mr Stoner.

Vivid Ideas is again collaborating with Mumbrella, SPARC, Good Design Festival, Semi-Permanent and Sydney Film Festival, and new events Modulations and Remix at Carriageworks. There are also programs with external partners including Sydney Living Museums, University of Sydney, Carriageworks, Seymour Centre and Powerhouse Museum.

“Over 18 days Vivid Sydney will this year offer everyone a unique and very special experience of Sydney in winter, showcasing the many creative talents not only from NSW but from around Australia and across the world,” Mr Stoner said.

Sandra Chipchase, the CEO of Destination NSW, said the event generates extraordinary interest which transforms the city not only for visitors, but for its hundreds of small businesses.

“Last year’s festival attendance was unprecedented, and it is testament to the popularity of Vivid Sydney and the significant marketing, promotion and travel packaging activity delivered by Destination NSW for this ‘only in Sydney’ event. In 2013 more than 11,000 visitors came from overseas travelling on Vivid travel packages. Aside from giving visitors a spectacular experience, Vivid Sydney is also fantastic news for the retail stores, restaurants and cafes that have fallen in love with the festival for the huge crowds it brings and the happy, joyful atmosphere created.”

Vivid Sydney Creative Director, Ignatius Jones, said, “Vivid Sydney continues to grow exponentially. Every year we are overwhelmed by the excitement that Vivid Sydney generates, and this year is really building on what’s come before. New precincts, new installations, new music, new ideas and new business all play a leading role in creating Vivid Sydney, and really give our city and everyone involved in Vivid a huge chance to shine. The spotlight is firmly placed on Sydney as the Creative Industry hub of Australia, and the Asia-Pacific region.”

Some of the highlights for Vivid Sydney 2014:

Where What When
Sydney Opera House Lighting Of The Sails by 59 Productions: see The Sails like never before with unforgettable 3D mapped projections Nightly from 6pm
Customs House  Play Me by Danny Rose: turning the façade of this great building into a sequence of giant fantasy musical instruments Nightly from 6pm
MCA (sandstone original building) Light projects where art meets light by Jess Johnson and Spinifex Nightly from 6pm
MCA (new building) A collaboration like no other where interactive light meets incredible 3D projections by The Digital Shamans and MCA artist Ross Manning Nightly from 6pm
Sydney Harbour and North Sydney Boats lit up, floating on the Harbour in a symphony of colour and the largest coat hanger in the world transformed into a beautiful palate of colours Nightly from 6pm
Darling Harbour Water jets, lasers, 3D projections on water screens – Aquatique transforms the Bay into a symphony of water, all set to music Nightly, on the hour from 6pm (last show 11pm)
Martin Place Map your face onto a 3D, 1.6m head with eΙMERGEnce Nightly from 6pm
Vivid LIVE at the Sydney Opera House Pixies rock it out in their only Australian performances 23-26 May
Vivid Music and Modulations at Carriageworks Pet Shop Boys – Electronic music artists extraordinaire – play three intimate gigs in this fantastic inner west venue 6-8 June
The Vivid Ideas Exchange on Level 6 of the MCA Hear from one of the world’s most credible youth brands and the business brain and global art icon behind it – Joshy D and Mike Giant from Rebel8 28 May

The full Vivid Sydney 2014 program is available at http://vividsydney.com

‘Vivid Sydney’ Draws Record Crowds

NSW Deputy Premier and Minister for Trade & Investment Andrew Stoner today announced Vivid Sydney 2013 an unprecedented success, with preliminary estimates showing record attendance of more than 800,000 people across the 18-day event.

Visitors flocked to the biggest Vivid Sydney ever, which included the largest Vivid Light Walk expanding into North Sydney with the lighting of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and Darling Harbour showcasing Australia’s first spectacular water show performances.

The Vivid Music program also expanded into new venues and Vivid Ideas featured more than 180 events with over 6,000 tickets sold. Over 40,000 tickets were sold for Vivid LIVE at the Sydney Opera House.

Mr Stoner said, this year, Vivid Sydney achieved record results for NSW, with crowds significantly larger than last year.

Vivid also reached audiences in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide through extensive media coverage. I am confident Vivid Sydney will have delivered this year well in excess of the estimated $10 million in economic impact,” Mr Stoner said.

Vivid has huge appeal and has been successful in attracting visitors not only from this state and across Australia – where domestic travel packages were up 8% – but also internationally, with over 11,000 travel packages sold, including 7,200 from China.

“Bringing so many visitors into Sydney for this festival also delivered terrific results for local retailers who all embraced Vivid. Some of the waterfront restaurants at The Rocks saw a 300% increase in diners, with reports of their capacity last seen during the Olympics. Many Darling Harbour restaurants also experienced similar growth.”

The Southern Hemisphere’s biggest annual festival of light, music and ideas is a signature event in the NSW Events Calendar, owned and managed by Destination NSW, the NSW Government’s tourism and major events agency.

Destination NSW CEO Sandra Chipchase said the most successful Vivid Sydney yet was great testimony to the way the festival has been embraced by Sydneysiders and visitors alike, and the creative services industry.

“So much enthusiasm and passion is invested in making Vivid Sydney a wonderful winter event by not only the creative practitioners involved in the festival itself, but the hundreds of thousands of people who attended. To be able to hold an event which attracts so many visitors, not only domestically but also from all over the world is very special, and of course is an important contributor to the goal of doubling overnight expenditure by 2020. During Vivid Sydney we hosted 76 media and 284 international travel buyers,” Ms Chipchase said.

“There has been excellent collaboration with key partners and sponsors as well as hundreds of local  businesses and communities to make Vivid Sydney a success, and something that is looked forward to every year. It’s a hallmark event for Sydney and Australia, and is also increasing its fan base”

Vivid Sydney also saw success digitally, with almost 40,000 downloads of the free Vivid Sydney application, more than 1 million people who visited the vividsydney.com website from May 1, a 200% growth in Vivid Sydney Facebook fans and a huge 2,800% growth of Vivid Ideas Facebook fans.

Vivid Sydney 2013 Highlights

Stepping into the history books with Sydney Harbour Bridge: The western façade was lit for the first time by Vivid Sydney partner Intel Australia and 32 Hundred Lighting, with North Sydney Council. It captured the imagination of everyone and even supported the NSW Blues ahead of the first State of Origin Game when Minister for Tourism and Major Events, George Souris, turned the bridge blue with NSW State of Origin vice-captain Robbie Farah.

Extending into Darling Harbour for the first time: More than 200,000 people enjoyed the dancing water fountains and dazzling light and water shows. The show was created especially for Vivid by French artists Aquatique Show International, and staged in collaboration with Destination NSW, the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority and the Darling Harbour Alliance. The event was supported by Citibank, which hosted customers at its Pop-Up Bar.

The celebration of the 50th anniversary of the world’s most iconic space traveller, ‘Doctor Who’: Legions of costumed fans attend the one night only 3D-mapped projections on the façade of Customs House on Saturday 1 June. The projections, created by Sydney’s own The Spinifex Group, saw ‘Doctor Who’ travel through space and time, pursued by some of his greatest enemies. The Spinifex Group also created the projections on the Sydney Opera House called ‘Play’, and ‘Collaboration #3′ with renowned artist Gemma Smith at the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia.

Vivid Ideas cemented its position as a champion of Sydney and Australia’s creative industries: It showcased Sydney as the place to collaborate, foster business connections and showcase new ideas – Headquartered on the sixth floor of the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia with events at more than 25 venues across Sydney, Vivid Ideas grew in 2013 from 100 to 122 unique events and boasted a wealth of creative local and international talent including keynote talks by UK artist and Turner Prize nominee, David Shrigley; IDEO’s chief creative officer Paul Bennett; street wear entrepreneur Johnny Cupcakes and big data artist Jonathan Harris.

More than 6,000 people attended 18 days of talks, workshops, panels and meet-ups at The Vivid Ideas Exchange with thousands more attending key creative industry events as part of Vivid Ideas including Semi-Permanent, AMPlify, Australian International Design Festival, Reportage Photography Festival, ISEA 2013, SPARC International Lighting Event, Mumbrella360, X|Media|Lab and more.

Over 40,000 tickets were sold to the 10-day music celebration Vivid LIVE at the Sydney Opera HouseAudiences were attracted by a stellar line-up that included the world premiere of ‘Empire of the Sun’’s highly anticipated second album, ‘Ice on the Dune‘, in addition to the eight sell-out ‘Kraftwerk‘ retrospective 3D shows, ‘The Catalogue: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8’, and the Australian debut of R’n’B soul legend Bobby Womack.

Vivid Music, a new addition to Vivid Sydney sold more than 5,400 tickets: A program that featured leading-edge electronic dance and house music at the Overseas Passenger Terminal, a two-day program of innovative and experimental music at the Seymour Centre, dance music at The Argyle and the sold out performance of ‘Datamatics 2.0′ by Japanese artist Ryoji Ikdea at Carriageworks for ISEA 2013.

2,000 people danced in front of Customs House to ‘Move your Building‘: While thousands watched wild horses run across buildings and engines rev out of walls at the Audi installation ‘Speed of Light‘, the Spinifex Group transformed the historic façade of the Australasian Steam Navigation Company building into a feast of light, colour and speed. Creative light sculptures and installations were selected from around the world, including artists from Germany, England, Italy, France, USA, Korea, Malaysia and New Zealand. Australian light artists featured from Sydney, Queensland, Victoria and regional NSW including Nowra, Wagga Wagga and Tuggerah.

Vivid Sydney’s Illuminating Quick Facts

  • Over 800,000 cumulative attendees
  • More than 200,000 attendees to Darling Harbour
  • Media coverage in over 200 countries
  • Over 40,000 tickets sold for Vivid LIVE
  • More than 6,000 people attended Vivid Ideas
  • Over 5,400 tickets sold for Vivid Music
  • 11,304 international packages sold*
  • 7,200 of these international packages from China*
  • 8% increase of domestic package sales*
  • 284 international trade familiarisation visitors (205% increase on last year)
  • 40,000 people downloaded the Vivid app
  • More than 1 million visitors to www.vividsydney.com
  • 200% growth on Vivid Sydney Facebook page
  • 2,800% growth on Vivid Ideas Facebook page

*package sales over the Vivid period generated via JTG

Must Dos for Final Days of ‘Vivid Sydney’ 2013

With just four days remaining until the Vivid Sydney lights turn off for another year, here’s a Top Ten Vivid Essentials List from festival owners Destination NSW:

1. Colour the Sydney Harbour Bridge, take in some delicious bites and shopping at North Sydney’s Food and Artisan Markets in Bradfield Park also featuring street theatre, then maybe hop on for a ride on Luna Park Sydney’s Ferris Wheel for a unique view of all the lights!

2. See where water, music, lasers and fire meet at Darling Harbour for the Aquatique water theatre show, on the hour, every hour, with fireworks at selected shows on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights.

3. Watch wild horses run across buildings and engines rev out of walls at the Audi installation Speed of Light, where the Spinifex Group has transformed the historic façade of the Australasian Steam Navigation Company building into a feast of light, colour and speed.

4. Bring out your inner child and hop on the See Saw light installation at Campbells Cove or tinkle the ivories at The Enlightening Piano – a fantastic interactive light installation that lights up as you play a tune.

5. Got milk? Head into The Rocks and step into a maze of interactive, couloured milk crates dangling above your head, or create your own unique experience of space, light and colour at Polka Kucha in Walsh Bay by simply turning a wheel.

6. Get your groove on at Customs House for Move Your Building, where your dance steps make the colourful light projections on the building move.

7. Hop on the free Vivid Sydney Harbour Shuttle Ferry and catch a view of the city bathed in colour and light from the magnificent harbour. Services depart between Kirribilli, Walsh Bay and Darling Harbour.

8. Get into Vivid Music at the Overseas Passenger Terminal with Finely Tuned presenting some of the biggest names in house music for the Terminal Projekt, Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 June, 4pm till late (tickets still available at www.vividsydney.com).

9. Go West! (well, Inner West), and experience the Australian premiere of the Test Pattern [No 5] installation by acclaimed Japanese artist Ryoji Ikeda at Carriageworks in Eveleigh. Seymour Centre in Darlington is also hosting a two-day explorative music program, New Wave: Sound, featuring national and international talent while New Wave: Light and Design will showcase innovative light installations created by University of Sydney students.

10. Take it all in. Find a spot, settle down and watch the entire projections on the Sydney Opera House called Play created by the Spinifex Group, and Collaboration #3 at the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, created by renowned artist Gemma Smith and the Spinifex Group. Simply amazing! And don’t forget to grab a drink at The Vivid Ideas Exchange Lounge on Level 6 of the MCA from 7pm.

Vivid Sydney, developed, owned and managed by the NSW Government’s tourism and major events agency Destination NSW, will continue to illuminate the city from 6pm to midnight ending Monday June 10.

The full Vivid Sydney program is available at http://vividsydney.com/