Must-see art and performances at White Night Reimagined 2019
From a humongous illuminated lion to giant floating spheres and acrobatic feats, these are the must-see acts and art to catch at the new-look White Night when it kicks off this week.
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It’s had a significant makeover, but White Night Reimagined still promises to be one of Melbourne’s biggest after-dark events when it kicks off this week.
The new-look White Night starts on Thursday — this year running for three shorter winter nights instead of one 24-hour summertime event.
Artistic director David Atkins is counting down the days to his final White Night.
“We’re looking forward to doing something very new and unique to Melbourne this year,” Atkins says.
He says it’s important for visitors to know that White Night will be different to previous years.
The most obvious difference is that people need to dress for the winter weather, but also understand that the event starts at 7pm with projections being visible much earlier than normal because it will already be dark.
Thursday and Friday nights will be centred on three main gardens — the “Sensory Realm” at Treasury Gardens, the “Spiritual Realm” at Carlton Gardens and the “Physical Realm” at Birrarung Marr — from 7pm to midnight.
“One of our objectives was, that by extending from one to three nights, the impact on the city had to be considered and we couldn’t close the city on normal business nights so it’s business as usual on the city streets for Thursday and Friday,” Atkins says.
“But on Saturday night, Flinders and Spring streets will be closed and it will be a more traditional White Night experience.”
Trams will still be operating and there will be timed performances, so check the program before you go.
“The gardens give us the opportunity to do works we could never do to this extent and for this duration,” Atkins says.
“They are more significant installations in scale and complexity. There will still be things to see at the gardens in between performance times but it would be advised for people to check when they can see Mad Max, for example, and time their visit accordingly.”
In the lead-up to White Night, we asked Atkins for his White Night must-sees:
The Globe
This will be the Australian premiere of Amsterdam’s world-famous breathtaking work, featuring 41 acrobats performing in, on and around a huge 16m globe.
Expect story, music, circus skills and special effects in this 40-minute spectacle at Birrarung Marr.
Our tip: Get to the Physical Realm at Birrarung Marr a bit earlier or later to catch Heliosphere, where an aerial artist will “fly” suspended from an illuminated sphere.
The Globe, Birrarung Marr, 40 minutes. August 22-23, 7.15pm, 9pm, 11pm; August 24, 7.15pm, 9.30pm, midnight.
The Guardian
Melbourne-based A Blanck Canvas, under the creative direction of Joe Blanck, has created its largest and most ambitious work to date.
An illuminated, animated lion puppet standing 4.5m high and almost 10m long, it is the protector of the Spiritual Realm in Carlton Gardens.
“Inspired by my love of animals, I wanted to create an awe-inspiring magical creature that stopped you in your tracks,” said Blanck.
The Guardian, Carlton Gardens, 35 minutes. Aug 22-23, 7pm, 8.10pm, 9.20pm, 10.20pm, 11.30pm; Aug 24, 7pm, 8.10pm, 9.20pm, 11.20pm, 12.30am, 1.40am.
Mad Max Fury Road
A must-see for any fan of the Mad Max movies, this world-first projection on the Royal Exhibition Building mixes Academy Award-winning art direction with custom cars, live performance and special effects set to a soundtrack.
Mad Max Fury Road, Carlton Gardens, 15 minutes live performance followed by exhibition cycle. on the hour every hour from 7pm-11pm, Aug 22-23 and 7pm-1am, Aug 24.
MORE: YOUR ULTIMATE GUIDE TO WHITE NIGHT 2019
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Where Do Books Come From?
A White Night favourite is back for 2019, giving visitors a unique journey through the State Library of Victoria’s La Trobe Reading room.
A mysterious lift operator will take people into the depths of the library for a look at how books are made.
Where Do Books Come From? State Library. Aug 22-23, 7pm-midnight; Aug 24, 7pm-2am.
Iris
This unique audio-visual installation features a large-scale projection of a human iris — magnified 1000 times and duplicated in a reflective pond.
The image moves to a soundscape to create the idea of a living, dynamic iris.
Iris, Treasury Gardens. Aug 22-23, 7pm-midnight; Aug 24, 7pm-2am.
Deadly Questions
The voices of Aboriginal Victorians meet the artwork of award-winning artist Wathaurung (Wadawarrung) Elder Marlene Gilson at the National Gallery of Victoria.
Visitors will get an insight into Aboriginal cultures, histories, connection to place and aspirations for treaty in Victoria in a compelling and inspiring work that combines projection, art, music and song.
Deadly Questions, National Gallery of Victoria. Aug 22-23, 7pm-midnight; Aug 24, 7pm-2am.
Next year White Night will be merged with the Melbourne International Arts Festival to create a new major winter festival that aims to be a tourist drawcard.
White Night runs from this 7pm-midnight on Thursday, August 22, and Friday, August 23, and from 7am-2am on Sunday, August 24.