Andrew Stoner MP Deputy Premier of NSW Minister for Trade and Investment Minister for Tourism and Major Events

MEDIA RELEASE

Tuesday 20 May 2014

VIVID TO LIGHT UP FOR THE FIRST TIME

Martin Place will light up for the very first time during this year’s Vivid Sydney, with seven spectacular light installations transforming the bustling thoroughfare into a gallery of light.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Tourism and Major Events Andrew Stoner said Martin Place is one of five new Vivid Sydney precincts in 2014, together with Carriageworks, The University of Sydney, The Star and Harbour Lights.

“Vivid Sydney kicks off this Friday and promises to be bigger and better than ever before, with visitors now able to follow an unbroken trail of light from to North Sydney,” Mr Stoner said.

“Martin Place is set to take Vivid Sydney by storm, with an amazing line up of light installations and 3D mapped projections which will astound and amuse festival goers.

“Expanding Vivid to take in areas like Martin Place will make this year’s festival bigger than ever, and draws upon last year’s success which saw more than 800,000 visitors attend and generate more than $20m in economic activity.

“Vivid Sydney is one of many major events supported by the NSW Government and helps achieve our goal of doubling overnight visitor expenditure by 2020.

“By attracting visitors to Sydney during the traditionally-quieter winter period, Vivid Sydney also provides a welcome boost to many of the city’s shops, restaurants, cafes and bars,” he said.

As part of the Vivid Sydney festival, Martin Place will be home to:

 Colour3, a pop-up café constructed from a maze of industrial water tanks. Illuminated by pixel-mapped LEDs, Colour3 will infuse with different pallets of light at the push of a button, creating a unique atmosphere for festival goers wanting a break before taking in Vivid Sydney’s other fantastic sights. It will be open for business, 6pm to midnight, from 23 May to 9 June.  An interactive Digital Forest of 120 LED 3D glowing tubes with games and technology displays, installed by Vivid Sydney partner, Intel.  Sky Flower will illuminate the night sky with petals of light which dance and sway before it releases a steamy, sweet-scented haze to add to the airy ambiance of Martin Place.  Light sculpture, e|MERGEnce, uses 3D projection mixed with interactive technology and fabrication techniques, to map a person’s face onto a giant head through live video captures.

“Vivid Sydney will also pay homage to the Australian Armed Forces for , by respectfully lighting the in recognition of those who have fallen in service of our country. Martin Place is known for many things, but none more important than the home of Sydney’s Cenotaph, a place of respect and reflection,” Mr Stoner said.

Media: Ben Shine 0431 096 596

VIVID LIGHT

Darling Harbour will again sparkle brightly with water shows spanning two thirds of the bay, doubling 2013’s Harbour spectacular. French company, Aquatique’s, water theatre show draws upon water jets, fountains and laser displays to paint a creative canvas of beauty and movement on the water.

The will be the largest and most spectacular coat-hanger on earth, and the water below with sparkle with Harbour Lights, as vessels and ferries light up to join in the fun. Sandstone will shine like never before at Customs House and the MCA, and over 50 light installation will enthral along the Vivid Light Walk.

VIVID MUSIC

A favourite feature during Vivid Sydney, music fans will again be spoilt for choice with an expanded Vivid Music line-up in even more venues around the city. Including, the (with Vivid Live), Seymour Centre, The Basement, Spice Cellar, Home nightclub, The Argyle, and the brand new event Modulations at Carriageworks (6-9 June), curated by Stephen Pavlovic.

Across its venues, Vivid Music including Vivid LIVE will feature performances from a wide range of artists including Pixies, Ms Lauryn Hill, Pet Shop Boys, The Liars, Hot Chip, The Luis and the Wildfires, ACO and The Presets, Nicky Siano, Laneous & The Family Yah, The Big Village, Giorgio Moroder, James Vincent McMorrow, Goodgod Small Club, Penny Penny, St. Vincent and Anna Calvi.

VIVID IDEAS

Sydney’s annual celebration of innovation, creativity and community, Vivid Ideas, includes a world renowned program of conferences, workshops, panels, talks, showcases, exhibitions, creative product launches, award presentations and networking functions. Vivid Ideas has quickly become a globally recognised platform for the best and brightest creative minds from Australia and overseas to connect, collaborate and create, and this year’s Vivid Ideas will include 300 speakers at over 180 events showcasing the best creative talent in the market.

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

The full media kit and high-res imagery including 2014 Vivid Light renders and 2013 footage of festival highlights, is available at http://vividsydney.com/media-centre