Opera House turns on a spectacular light show for 10th Vivid festival

VIVID Sydney celebrated its 10th anniversary last night, with a display of lights that pulsed and twinkled across the brightest city in the world.

VIVID Sydney celebrated its 10th anniversary last night, with a display of lights that pulsed and twinkled across the brightest city in the world.

Projections danced across the Opera House and Customs House, and a show of laser lights called Bradfield’s Beacon carved through the sky above the Harbour Bridge.

Crowds gather to watch the lights on the Opera House sails. Picture: AFP

The Harbour Bridge was also decked in colour. Picture: Damian Shaw

A laser show played out in the skies over the CBD. Picture: Damian Shaw

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A 6m puppet-lantern Marri Djin wowed crowds in Barangaroo, and Taronga Zoo stayed up late with 290 multimedia light sculptures ranging from bees and bilbies to sharks and tigers.

“I genuinely think this is our best year ever,” said Vivid Light curator Anthony Bastic, who has worked on all 10 festivals.

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He has seen the event become the world’s biggest light festival attracting 2.3 million people last year.

Snugglepot and Cuddlepie’s adventures on Customs House. Picture: AAP

The frightening Banksia men also get a look in. Picture: AAP

At Barangaroo, an enormous walking puppet called Marri Dyin wandered through the crowd. Picture: Dylan Robinson

A rainbow lighting up Circular Quay. Picture: Steve Christo

Bastic has curated “statement pieces” this year, including a light sculpture called Aqueous, a highlight of features in the Royal Botanic Garden.

“I’m sure families will love Aqueous,” he said. “It’s like hopscotch gone mad.”

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There’s plenty of fascinate the kids at Circular Quay. Picture: Steve Christo

It’s colour overload at Circular Quay. Picture: Steve Christo

Wrap up the kids warmly. Picture: Steve Christo

Children are encouraged to get up close to some of the displays. Picture: Steve Christo

For the adults, there’s the challenge of capturing it all on the camera. Picture: Steve Christo

Highlights of last night’s displays were Jonathan Zawada’s vibrant, nature-inspired projections on the Opera House sails and the Customs House facade, where author-illustrator May Gibbs’ creations Snugglepot and Cuddlepie frolicked in celebration of their centenary.

Award-winning artist Jonathan Zawada’s has designed 23 colourful kinetic digital sculptures. Picture: AFP

The sculptures will feature on the Opera House sails nightly between 6pm ad 11pm. Picture: AAP

Lights being tested the night before opening night of Vivid.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - May 23:Vivid Circular Quay on Sydney’s Harbour precinct in Sydney on May 23, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Steve Christo)

Surprises are at every turn at Circular Quay. Picture: Steve Christo

Crowds jostled for the best vantage points of see the Opera House. Picture: AFP

The designs are inspired by the Australian environment. Picture: Damian Shaw

Bastic advised viewers to come early in the week and arrive at 6pm for lights-on.

“Take your time and enjoy everything that you are seeing.

“We are on for 23 nights (until June 16).”

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