Vivid Sydney goes prehistoric in Chatswood while endangered species light up Taronga Zoo

Chatswood will travel back in time this winter as Vivid returns for another luminescent season as Taronga Zoo joins the festival of lights.

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CHATSWOOD will travel back in time this winter as Vivid returns for another luminescent season.

Vivid Sydney, the world’s largest festival of light, music and ideas, will transform the CBD into WildLight - The Bio-Kinetic City with installations and activities inspired by the creatures of Gondwanaland.

Willoughby Council claims the event generated $4.5 million for the local economy last year with more than 68,500 people soaking up the festival of light.

Last November a report revealed people spent $2.4 million on food and drink in the CBD, which contributed to a return of $1.8-$2 million in direct consumer spending for businesses in the CBD.

At the meeting council agreed to commit $850,000 in funding for the event subject to additional fundraising.

“Last year’s event was a huge success, being the first time Vivid Sydney was held in a suburban precinct outside the Sydney CBD, and it really helped cement Chatswood’s position as a vital part of the greater Sydney cultural landscape,” Mayor Gail Giles-Gidney said.

“An exciting new addition this year is the daytime activations based out of Chatswood Chase Sydney, especially created to engage young children and families.”

Visitors will be taken into our continent’s ancient past from the moment they step off the train at Chatswood with projections enveloping them at the Interchange. At Westfield vibrant digital animations of Neon Dino Nights will include prehistoric creatures in futuristic 3D animations playing across the facade of The Concourse with people able to become part of the experience by taking control of interactive mechanical dinosaur frames.

Davidson state Liberal state MP and Parliamentary Secretary for Major Events and Tourism Jonathan O’Dea said Vivid “generated a fantastic community feel”.

“Some people think it is still about lights but it is a light, music and ideas festival and for me the most exciting thing is the potential around the innovation of ideas,” Mr O’Dea said.

Vivid Sydney at Chatswood will be on every evening from May 27 until June 13 from 5.30-10.30pm. The Luminarium will operate daily from 10am-12pm and 1-3pm. For more information visit vividsydney.com.

An artist’s impression of two gigantic illuminated sculptures to be unveiled during Vivid Sydney at Taronga Zoo. Picture: Supplied

VIVID TO HIT THE ZOO

TARONGA Zoo will also be added to the Vivid list this year with an illuminated Sumatran tiger unveiled the other week as the first test model for a range of endangered animals that will feature at the zoo.

The unveiling of the model and several artist impressions of other endangered species are a taste of what to expect at the light, music and art festival which will be launched in May.

A huge illuminated bilby and a magnificent marine turtle with moving fins will also be among the stars of the zoo’s celebration.

They will light up from May 27 to June 18 for the zoo’s centenary celebrations.

An artist’s impression of a gigantic illuminated Bilby which will be part of Vivid Sydney at Taronga Zoo. Picture: Supplied

The light sculptures are a collaboration between the zoo and Ample Projects and are among the largest and most technologically advanced lanterns in the history of Vivid Sydney.

Taronga Zoo chief executive Cameron Kerr said the incredible sculptures represented 10 critical species from Australia and Sumatra that the zoo was committed to protecting.

“We hope they will leave visitors feeling empowered to take positive action for wildlife conservation,” he said.

Visitors to the zoo during the festival will be greeted by a grand projection onto the facade of Taronga’s historic main entrance which will set the scene for the colourful journey to follow.

An artist’s impression of a gigantic marine turtle with moving fins which will be among the stars of Vivid Sydney at Taronga Zoo. Picture: Supplied