Vivid Sydney 2019
On May 30, I headed down to the city via the new train station that opened up about 2 miles from my doorstep. (These fist two shots are of a recent rosy sunset that have nothing to do with the story, but I wanted to share, anyway.) Really sweet new train that reminded me a bit of the metros in DC. Very efficient, computer driven and clean. All the cars are open so you can look all the way up and down the train, from back to front, if no passengers block the view.
Chilly weather has hit us with highs in the upper 60's and lows in the lower 40's. Sunset in around 5 pm with it turning pitch black by 5.30—which means its time for "Vivid Sydney." This is the yearly light show that makes the city glow and is meant to draw tourists to town even in winter. This year's theme seemed "Pacific Islander."
Above are some shots of the light exhibits that line up along the edge of the harbor near the Opera House. I will let you look at most on your own, rather than me explain what's in the shot. The photos don't do justice to the city at night (6) washing out much of the colors of the lights. They were shooting beams of light out across the water from the tops of the buildings and the Sydney Harbor Bridge. I am not sure who gets the fun job of setting it all up, nor how they coordinate it all. Very cool!
This was a bench that looked like it was made of cardboard and all lit up from within (7,8). The front side (7) was like a bench you could sit on while the back was an intricate design made of light and spaces (8). These balloons were a piece of artwork and would change colors "depending on your mood"(9). I met my friend Anastasia (11) in Sydney after her work at an accounting firm in a downtown high-rise.
The Syndey Harbor Bridge is held aloft by 4 massive pylons. Each makes a wonderful canvas for the light show, highlighting Australia history (10) and aborginal art (11). the images kept shifting.
A series of lights on "ropes" kept changing as people walked under them (12-13). Perhaps you recognize the hairy legs of one of its patrons?
These last couple of shots were large plastic like sculptures lit from the inside and reminded me of the mysterious stone heads from Easter Island (19, 20). These were large and impressive.
The center piece of the light show is, of course, the Sydney Opera House. The "sails" are lit from across the harbor by a powerful projector. Music is also part of the show, though you need to be around the projector to hear it. Still, you can enjoy the experience without the electronic sounds. This year's show was extremely abstract and seemed to represent the sea and plant life in it. Very organic and alive with energy and color. Below is a YouTube video of the whole thing (taken by someone else), above are my photos from the night. The video is long but shows the lights on the Sydney Opera House, the Museum of Contemporary Arts (MCA) and the Custom House. The music is added by the videographer. Enjoy!