Sydney May – June 2015 (15 photos). This is part 5 of 9 of my VIVID Sydney 2015 series.
VIVID is now over for another year. Winter life in Sydney returns to its routine now. In the previous post we looked at and visited the Sydney Opera House. Now we walk towards Customs House, in the general vicinity of the Marriott Hotel which you can see in the background of the photo above.
Splendens by Vossarch captures the moment when two Siamese fighting fish (Betta splendens) are poised to battle to the death. The large light artwork depicts these tiny but intelligent fish when tension between two combatants is at its greatest.
A nice light sculpture, but I just wish they hadn’t put this one in front of the Sydney Opera House. It acted like a large red spotlight in my photos of the Opera House.
Exposed by Mark Gregan, Leo Trimboli, Catalina Chica and Patrick OāDowd reveals the interior worlds of three giant humanoid figures, each of which is transparent and captured in the moment of taking a step forwards. Dynamic lighting effects reveal their inner workings. The first figure has the internal veins and organs of a human being, the second has the mechanised movements of a city, and the third shows connecting elements in nature.
We now arrive at Customs House, an historic Sydney landmark constructed initially in 1844-1845. The building served as the headquarters of the Customs Service until 1990. Ownership was then transferred from the Commonwealth Government of Australia to the City of Sydney Council in 1994, when it became a venue for exhibitions and private functions. After being refurbished in 2003, it has also become the new home of the City of Sydney Library.
This year, the display on Customs House was entitled, Enchanted Sydney and designed by the Spinifex Group. Enchanted Sydney projects free-flowing images of Sydneyās flora and fauna onto the iconic facade of Customs House to create a continually evolving and blossoming world. The projections were fitted specifically to the architectural form of the building.
The artistsā intent is to remind audiences of the organic nature of the city and the enchantment of natural design.
Each night that I attended VIVID, groups of light-clad roller bladers, skaters, and skateboarders would aggregate at the various light installations which had open spaces and just skate around, before moving to the next location. They seemed to be having fun and added to the festival atmosphere.
You can see them in the foreground.
What would an enchanted Sydney be…
…without an enchanted forest…
…with some enchanting wood elves.
Awww, those elves always know how to make me smile!
…
I hope you’ve enjoyed the Enchanted Sydney show. Next stop, the Museum of Contemporary Art.
This week I am the Guest Author on The Daily Post’s Weekly Photo Challenge, with the theme – Vivid. I hope you enjoyed the contributions to the Challenge, of which there are currently more than 830 1100 responses. My thanks to everyone who contributed.
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This is part 5 of my 9 part VIVID Sydney 2015 series.
All my photography from this and previous years of VIVID Sydney going back to 2012 can be found here.
Next best thing to actually being there. Thanks for posting š
Thank you. And despite living here, I didn’t have the time to see every display.
I love the way your city believes in color and design! Always something new.
Yes, the city has embraced this event. Each year the various displays are different and more are becoming interactive.
Great to hear that!!
It’s definitely getting bigger each year.
So absolutely awesome!
The Customs House display was a lot of fun.
I AM TOTALLY ENCHANTED! BRAVO!
Those elves will do that to you every time. š
Thank you.
š Awesome!!! How long does each projection stay on before the next one comes up???
The whole show ran for about 15 minutes, with about 10 scenarios in the show. No static images though, but a constantly changing scene. I shot at 1/100th second without too much blur.
Beautiful, colourful night shots.
Thanks, CG.
Love that enchanted forest. Congrats on being the guest author for the Daily Post! I’d definitely say you are the Vivid expert here on WP.
That show was a lot of fun to watch. Like watching a series of short stories.
Thank you very much. I’m definitely a Vivid enthusiast. š
I’m enchanted š
the skaters look very interesting with the lights on them… I guess the spirit of the event enchants everyone so everyone takes part… what a wonderful and exciting atmosphere in your shots!!
Dragons have a penchant for being enchanted and enchanting. š Some people wanted to join the skaters until they realised there weren’t any skates for hire. Initially I thought it was one of those flashmob events, butI enjoyed seeing them.
2015 vivid is better than ever before! Enchanted Sydney, Wow!!! Thoroughly enjoy the series. Great shots!
Thank you for hosting the WPC Vivid!
Thank you, Amy. I watched Enchanted Sydney a few times. Everyone has their favourites. Thanks for being part of WPC Vivid.
I felt like I was there watching the changing lights. Awesome shots, Dragon! I remember your 2013 series. š
Thanks again, Amy. You can see the time on the clock halfway up the building on most of the shots. That proves my dedication. š
OMG!! You are dedicated. These are master pieces, Dragon!
And not just one night either. Enjoy the rest of your day, Amy. š
Wow! Draco those photos are super beautiful! The intents to the Artists was great and visully amazing on creating the stunning effect they wanted! You did an amazing job on capturing that intent greatly with all your stunning and inspiring photos! Thank you for stopping by and like my “Ocean Whispers” photo it means a lot to me that you like it!!! š
Thank you Carolina. This was a fun display and I watched it several times. People loved it and watching all the vibrant scenes and colours.
I wish we had something like Vivid over here, it would be a blast (and probably an expensive communal expense).
Congrats on hosting the Weekly Photo Challenge!
Thank you. It took about 4 years for the event to become big time, and now it is a major tourism event. Shops in the area stay open longer and everyone is out wandering around. I suspect it pays for itself now.
And….Congratulations on being the guest author for the Daily Post! Tha’s great!!! You totally deserve to be there! š
Thank you. š
You welcome! š
Oh my gosh, they are amazing displays. It makes me think that I ought to come back to Sydney in the winter next time. I might have to think very hard though !!
The last week of the event this year was very cold, a drawback for sure, but people just go out anyway. Maybe aim for Sculpture by the Sea instead. š
The atmosphere must be wonderful, Draco! As are your photos š 830 entries! That’s a lot of visiting š
Thanks. On the weekends they roadblock several roads, including our main street here. Thousands are out just walking around. Street entertainers are everywhere. It’s a lot of fun.
Alost 860 entries now. š
I wasn’t even aware of this event (shows how much time I have to watch the news), what a sight it must be. In Melbourne we have something similar called “White Night”, but it only runs for one night and there is no Opera House (it looks amazing on your photos)! Your photos inspired me to make a trip up with my kids when this event is on next. Thanks for sharing your amazing photos!
Thank you very much. Yes I’ve heard of White Night, but only 1 night isn’t taking it to its potential, particularly for the smaller children. This is the 7th year of Vivid and it’s always on for 18 nights each year at the same time. Your children will love it. Lots to see and many of the installations encourage interaction.
Wow, LD – like, WOW !!! š
It was a smaller display than the Opera House, but definitely cozy and fun. A winner with the crowds.
So damned … CREATIVE ! š
Very. š
Wow! I love the theme Enchanted Sydney this year and Your pictures are excellent…I felt back there for a moment! Oh I miss the beautiful Sydney so much…I just hope one day I will walk those streets again! š
Thank you. I hope you get to come back one day, maybe even see Vivid for yourself. Have a good weekend.
Love your photo of the exposed humanoid with the city lights in the background. I tried getting a good shot myself, but didn’t do too well. And Enchanted Sydney, what can I say? Loved it. Definitely a favourite. And I love how you captured those wood elves, and the finale š
The humanoids were difficult to photograph with the bright background lights. Well, it sounds like you were enchanted by Enchanted Sydney, not that I would blame you. The ending was really fun. š
Stunning as usual.
Thank you, Edith. It was a fun event.
Oh thank you for sharing! Sydney looking amazing š Congrats on the Daily Post !
Thank you very much. The colour injection really brightens everyone’s mood. š
Great set of posts – the Enchanted Sydney display is stunning. Thanks for the 2015 visit to VIVID!
Thanks, Lisa. Have you been to White Night in Melbourne?
Enchanting is right! Night photography is rather difficult but you did it again! Thanks for bringing me there š
Thanks, Sam. It was a very vibrant show.
I can feel the vibrancy here! Looking forward to the rest of the series š
Thanks.
wow!! This is positively fantastical!! ( if there is such a word in a world!). Enchanted indeed and just what I like! Beautiful images Draco! ( my first visit to your blog)
Thank you very much Dune Mouse. If it’s not a word, it should be. š
I must say these photos are amazing. It had to spectacular in person! š
Thanks, most definitely it was a great experience, like being a wide-eyed child again. š
These are all mind-blowing. What a grand finale, Draco. WOW!
Thanks very much, Paula. I stayed out late on several nights, and now I feel like it’s all worth it. š
Impossible to pick a favourite!
No need to, Patti. š
These are all wonderful! š
Thanks. The elves were funny. š
It is so beautiful, the men who did this building lights are extraordinary. They change the town, in vegetable, aquarium and so on… So great:-)
It was definitely a lot of fun. š
This set is my favorite!! Would have loved to have experience these moments!
Thank you. This show was a lot of fun. š
Wonderful shots. Love seeing my home town looking so amazing. I went to Vivid a few years ago and it was unreal.
Thanks. The event has really grown even in the last couple of years. I hope you get to see it again.
Throw another shrimp on the barby mate
G’day, mate. š
Love it š I hope to go next year š
I hope you do. You’ll enjoy it. You’ll need more than 1 night to see it all though.
Yeah want to take my fiancĆ© there and make a whole week of it š
Sounds like a good plan. š
Wow what awesome pictures! I never see this kind of stuff in my neck of the woods so thanks so much for posting! š
Thank you very much.
great shots
Thank you.
wow
Thanks again. š
Great
Thanks.
LD, Do u remember me? I’m picturesmonthly, the OK I HONESTLY LOVE THAT PICTURE person. I am very intrested in your photos! š š š š š š š š
Thank you very much. I’ve had a lot of notifications lately, so names are a bit of a blur at the moment.
Also love last pic
Me too. š
Reblogged this on Jodie Pages and commented:
So creative and enchanting..Never been to Sydney myself, but after reading this post, I think I might go to see the city that lives in vibrant colours.
Definitely worth the trip. Thanks for visiting Sydney with me. š
Reblogged this on Writing From My 14th Country and commented:
I woke up to these gorgeous photos to start the day. Impossible not to share!
Thank you kindly. Glad you enjoyed these sights of Sydney. š
Beautiful pics and moreover great description ..
Thank you.
{… live to the fullest
š
yes
This is so cool! Beautiful! Love it!
Thank you. š
Coool
š
Congratulation Draco your Blog is Freshly Pressed on WordPress that’s awesome! š
Thanks. it’s been a busy month for me. š
Reblogged this on HomeIsWhereTheRootsLead.Com and commented:
I love Sydney, the Rocks and The Gold Coast and look forward to returning someday
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I hope you do one day. š
Wow nice content
Thanks.
Oh my! A feast for the senses! Thank you so much for sharing. I can’t imagine being there in person to take it all in…
Thanks. It’s gaining in popularity each year.
I can see why!
š
Gorgeous photos! Thank you for sharing.
Thanks for visiting.
W-O-W!!!!! Just…. WOW! It’s so beautiful and…ENCHANTING! š
Thank you. š
I have never seen such beautiful pictures! They really capture the moment, definitely feel as though I have a travel bug now
Thanks. Hopefully you’ll get to see this event in person one day.
Reblogged this on narmin11's Blog and commented:
thanks.good
Reblogged this on North To South , East To West and commented:
forest in Sydney.
how lovely they are !!!
Thank you.
You got yourself som intensely rad photos there, mate. Good stuff!
Thank you.
I was lucky enough to visit Australia my first and only time in 2011, and coincidentally my time in Sydney coincided with Vivid. We had no idea of the timing, pure luck. It was so amazing. I was in bigger awe of the city I was dying to visit. Thanks for sharing! I want to go back so bad!
Sounds like very good timing. I didn’t know this event existed until 2012, but now I look forward to it each year. I hope you get to see it again one day.
yees like this
š
great photos š thank you!
Thanks.
These are just amazing and beautiful night shots ~ colorful and the lighting so sharp, and so difficult to get at night, very well done. Congratulations too on the FP ~ so well deserved. Cheers ~
Thank you very very much. It’s a great idea for a festival.
Wow, these are stunning, no wonder you got Freshly Pressed!! It amazes me what can be done with a bit of art and some light! We’ve only experienced it once where I live, I’m hoping they will light up that white castle again and I’ll get to capture it next time.
Thanks for showing us the Enchanted Sydney! š
I watched several cycles of this particular display. It was a lot of fun. Thank you very much, Suzy. š
I’m eating pizza and watching the show… Thank you again! It’s 12/15 pm here in TX. š
Many thanks again, Amy. Pizza and wine will be a great accompaniment to the show. And you can leave the crowds to me. š
Friday night, pizza, wine, and the show, can’t wait! š Let you handle the crowds. š
No problem. š
Your photography is stunning. I love the rich colours and the superb lighting. Thank you so much.
Thank you very much for the compliment. It’s much appreciated. This year’s festival starts in 2 weeks and I’m getting ready for it already. š
It sounds amazing. Have a great time and I’ll look forward to the photos.
Thank you.