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Vivid Sydney’s Colorful Light Installations Are Bigger and Brighter Than Ever

Vivid Sydney 2017 art festival

Lighting of the Sails – Audio Creatures. (Photo: Destination NSW)

The annual arts festival Vivid Sydney is back for its 2017 edition, lighting up Sydney over 23 days with a myriad of music and light installations. This year's public art festival includes more than 90 art installations that wash the city in color as the sun goes down.

The festival runs across seven precincts with a highlight being the light projections that swath the famed Sydney Opera House in color. In the past, luminaries like Brian Eno have been charged with creating the spectacular effects on this iconic monument. This year, sea creatures and plant life ooze across the architecture, as created by Ash Bolland. The visuals are accompanied by a soundscape from Brazilian composer Amon Tobin.

More than 2 million people visited the festival last year and this year there's even more to offer, with 400 music events planned to complement the incredible installations. From the lasers, fireworks, and music of the Magicians of the Mist installation in Darling Harbor to the interactive light swings installation at The Rock titled Freedom of Movement, there is a never-ending array of art to experience.

Vivid Sydney runs through June 17, 2017, with most events beginning around 5:30 pm.

The annual Vivid Sydney festival is a feast for the eyes, with over 90 art installations across the city. Here's a look at some highlights.

Vivid Sydney 2017 art festival

Urban Tree. (Photo: Destination NSW / James Horan)

Vivid Sydney 2017 light installations

Birds of Lumos. (Photo: Destination NSW / James Horan)

Vivid Sydney 2017 art festival

Lighting of the Sails – Audio Creatures. (Photo: Destination NSW / James Horan)

Vivid Sydney 2017 light art

Tumbalong Lights. (Photo: Destination NSW / James Horan)

Vivid Sydney 2017 light art

Magicians of the Mist. (Photo: Destination NSW / James Horan)

Vivid Sydney 2017 art festival

Freedom of Movement. (Photo: Destination NSW)

Vivid Sydney 2017 light installations

Organic Vibrations. (Photo: Destination NSW / James Horan)

Vivid Sydney 2017 light installations

Supernova. (Photo: Destination NSW)

Vivid Sydney 2017 art festival

Helix. (Photo: Destination NSW)

Vivid Sydney 2017 light installation

Chromesthesia. (Photo: Destination NSW)

Vivid Sydney 2017 light art

Light Waves. (Photo: Destination NSW)

Vivid Sydney 2017 art festival

Harbor Lights. (Photo: Destination NSW / James Horan)

This video shows the full sound and light installation gracing the architecture of the famed Sydney Opera House.

See more of what's in store with a look at the range of public art on view in Sydney.

Vivid Sydney: Website | Facebook | Instagram

Related Articles:

“Vivid Sydney” Cloaks the Australian City in a Spectacular Display of Vibrant Lights

Sydney Unveils Dazzling New Water Show: Vivid Aquatique

Interactive Mangrove Forest Installation Lights Up Sydney Harbor

Jellyfish Chandeliers and Flowing River of Light at Vivid Sydney 2015

Jessica Stewart

Jessica Stewart is a Contributing Writer and Digital Media Specialist for My Modern Met, as well as a curator and art historian. Since 2020, she is also one of the co-hosts of the My Modern Met Top Artist Podcast. She earned her MA in Renaissance Studies from University College London and now lives in Rome, Italy. She cultivated expertise in street art which led to the purchase of her photographic archive by the Treccani Italian Encyclopedia in 2014. When she’s not spending time with her three dogs, she also manages the studio of a successful street artist. In 2013, she authored the book 'Street Art Stories Roma' and most recently contributed to 'Crossroads: A Glimpse Into the Life of Alice Pasquini'. You can follow her adventures online at @romephotoblog.
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