Vivid Sydney boss says all winter arts festivals deserve to succeed

Vivid Sydney is the first winter arts and music festival to announce its 2022 program, and says similar events like Dark Mofo and Rising deserve to succeed and thrive.

People look at a light projection onto the Sydney Harbour Bridge at Vivid Sydney. Picture: (AAP Image/Bianca De Marchi).

Vivid Sydney’s festival director says Australia’s arts and music winter events, including Melbourne’s Rising, Hobart’s Dark Mofo, and Adelaide’s Illuminate, deserve to thrive and succeed after being ruined by lockdowns.

“There is room for everybody,” festival boss Gill Minervini said. “We like to point out that Vivid was the first, but they’re all very different. I think it’s great for cities to celebrate every season, and to give their people, and visitors something special.”

Vivid Sydney, which runs from May 27 to June 18, is the first winter festival to announce its 2022 line up.

Vivid Sydney’s boss insists “there is room for everybody” as the arts industry fights to recover from Covid lockdowns. Vivid 2019. Picture: Instagram

But, not to be outdone, Hobart’s Dark Mofo also released a program preview on Wednesday of its 2022 event. It includes Berlin-based musician Nils Frahm, Kim Gordon, of Sonic Youth, and British band Spiritualised.

Frahm and Spiritualised will also perform at Vivid.

Rising Festival, helmed by artistic directors Hannah Fox and Gideon Obarzanek, will unveil its program on Thursday.

The theme of Vivid Sydney’s 2022 event is Soul Of The City, and includes US screenwriter and director, Aaron Sorkin, best known as creator of the political drama The West Wing, former Fox News anchor Gretchen Carlson, and pop star Troye Sivan as headliners.

Sorkin, Carlson and Sivan will appear at in-conservation events.

Iconic Australian artist Ken Done’s work will also feature at Vivid for the first time, with his images projected on to landmark buildings.

The music line up includes Paul Kelly, Sampa The Great, and a gospel set by Marcia Hines, backed by a 12-piece choir.

Pre Covid, Vivid Sydney was the largest Festival of Lights, music and ideas in the Southern Hemisphere, attracts more than 2 million visitors every year. Picture: Instagram

The Vivid program consists of 200 events, including 50 light installations, like projections, laser displays, immersive experiences.

The event’s popular light walk, a showcase of light installations, music and art, has been extended, and will run for 8km from Sydney Opera House to Central Station.

Ms Minervini said the festival’s theme is “a universal narrative,” adding: “All of our cities have got a lot in common. As a festival director who’s been doing events for over 30 years, I get asked all the time, ‘What’s the difference between Sydney and Melbourne?’ and trying to set them up against each other.

“We should be looking at the commonalities, the things that make us great, the differences that makes us great, and celebrating those.

“It’s not about Melbourne is better than Sydney. If you look at the world at the moment, we need to think about connecting, finding joy, and going out again.”

The pandemic shut down Vivid, Rising and Illuminate festivals last year.

Dark Mofo prevailed, but Victorians were banned from travelling to Tasmania.