What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the word ‘Vivid’? A film production house in the United States that popularized the names Asia Carrera and Tera Patrick? Or a film simulation on a Fujifilm mirrorless camera ? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Because I thought of the first answer choice when I first heard about Vivid Sydney.
But it turned out that I was wrong, because Vivid Sydney is not an event created by the film’s production house, but an annual event in Sydney that features a show of light, music and ideas.
In total there will be more than 60 light installations presented each night for 18 days, from 6pm to midnight, from Harborside to Martin Place, Darling Harbour, Pyrmont and The Star, to the University of Sydney, making it one of the most popular The biggest event in Australia right now.
Then where are the fun places to enjoy Vivid Sydney 2015? Here are 11 of them.
1. George Street
Ordained as Australia’s first street and on the list of Sydney’s Heritage Walks, now the approximately three kilometer long George Street is recognized as one of Sydney’s busiest streets. On the road that passes through The Rocks and Chinatown areas stand several important buildings in Sydney, such as St. Andrew’s Cathedral, Sydney Town Hall, as well as the Queen Victoria Building (often shortened to QVB for modernity) which is now one of the most beautiful shopping centers in the world, is also the most expensive.
When Vivid Sydney, some of the buildings here will turn into buildings full of colorful lights, as experienced by the following Sydney Town Hall.
Sydney Town Hall
My advice, spend your afternoon shopping at QVB if you can – or if you can’t, just cross over to Woolworths (commonly called Woolie by today’s kids) and buy Kit-Kat and Tim-Tam for your relatives in Indonesia-, enjoy your afternoon a glass of Flat White at the Workshop, before pampering your eyes with Vivid Sydney’s signature lights at night.
2. Darling Harbour
Perhaps not many know that Darling Harbor was once the main location for placing train cars belonging to NSW Railways, before being converted (because it was deemed ineffective) into a harbor, as well as a center for residents and tourists to gather in Sydney in the late 1970s by Commissioner Gavan. McDonell.
Now, Darling Harbor comes with a shopping center, classy restaurants, a port where you can base your cruise , and a place to enjoy fireworks with your lover (if you have one) on Sunday Night.
My advice, have dinner at one of the restaurants on the outskirts of Darling Harbour, Cyren Bar Grill Seafood for example, before running out to enjoy the magnificent fireworks display combined with the Vivid Laser – Fountain Water Theatre (and how Destination NSW burns its money to attract visitors). ) at Darling Harbor when Vivid Sydney.
Darling Harbour on Saturday night, is something that you can’t resist, darling.
3. Port Jackson
Did you know that Sydney was founded in a natural harbor known as ‘The Largest Natural Harbor in The World’? It was at this port called Port Jackson (which even has its own type of shark called the Port Jackson shark), that Europeans (namely, England) first entered Australia and established settlements.
My advice, take a dinner package on a cruise (eg Captain Cook Cruise) from Darling Harbour, and enjoy the charm of Port Jackson (now also known as Sydney Harbour) when Vivid Sydney. This cruise will take you around Port Jackson and enjoy the glittering cityscapes of Sydney’s pride such as the Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbor Bridge, and Luna Park from above the sea. A very classy way to enjoy Vivid Sydney!
4. The Star
When you’re in Darling Harbor and jelly noticing, there will be some bias of light glowing from across the ocean, from a sign that reads The Star.
The Star itself, is a complex of hotels, luxury shopping centers, casinos, bars, as well as several first-class restaurants. When Vivid Sydney, The Star will come alive with light shows, music, as well as an urban playground on Sky Terrace that allows gamers to play with the walls of The Star building as a screen.
Vivid Lounga at Sky Terrace, The Star.
My advice, bring a few bills and a few handfuls of gold and diamonds to The Star and then gamble (ignore if you think gambling is haram, if you lose.) at the casino. After winning, spend your money to have fun in the Vivid Lounge while enjoying the stunning views of Vivid Sydney below. If you lose a bet, stay in Sydney to join the WHV.
5. Sydney Harbour Bridge
One of Sydney’s most famous landmarks apart from its opera house, is the Sydney Harbor Bridge, also known as the World’s Largest Steel Arched Bridge. The bridge, which has a height of 134 meters and a length of 1,149 meters (which was built using a loan from the UK whose payments were paid in 30 years in installments), has pedestrian, car, and train routes under it.
But did you know that we can legally climb the bridge – which was built (1923-1932) faster than the painting time – legally, like the beautiful photo below?
Sydney Bridge Climbing
It all started in the 1960s when local newspapers reported that people were caught climbing the bridge without taking selfies , including at night. And rather than let illegal acts continue, in 1988, the Sydney Harbor Bridge was legally opened to the general public who wanted to climb.
Currently, the Sydney Bridge Climb is open daily, from morning to night, and is only closed when there are thunderstorms, strong winds and Kaiju attacks like the movie Pacific Rim.
Then how does Sydney look from the top of this bridge when Vivid Sydney? This photo that I got legally from Bridge Climb’s side will show it.
Sydney Bridge Climbing at Night
My advice, climb this bridge at night when Vivid Sydney, accompanied by a handsome and bright-eyed guide like Alessandro, then take pictures with the backdrop of the Sydney Opera House. But always remember your safety, also always remember your parents waiting at home.
6. Argyle Street Tunnel
As the evening stroll past The Garrison Church and turned into the Argyle Street Tunnel, I was surprised to find hundreds of people lying on a highway that was then closed to motor vehicles right under a tunnel. And they are not motorbike riders who take shelter when it rains, or Rohingya refugees who are abandoned by their own country, but they are indeed there to enjoy Vivid Sydney.
Yes, when Vivid Sydney, the tunnel ceiling was transformed into a giant screen showing several short videos. There is one about the peacock, there is also about the dolphin, minus Bondan Prakoso.
Argyle Street Tunnel
My advice, join the locals, lying on the streets enjoying a movie about the creatures in this tunnel. But remember, wear proper clothes, don’t wear tattered clothes and then beg here.
7. Circular Quay
Walk a little through the Argyle Street tunnel and through the impromptu night market, and you’ll arrive at Circular Quay. This is an area on the outskirts of Sydney Harbor that used to be used as a warehouse for shipping goods including as a center for the tram station in Sydney, but is now famous for its restaurants, parks, shopping, and a perfect place to gaze at the beauty of the Opera House when Vivid Sydney !
My advice, go to one of the restaurants in Circular Quay for dinner, such as Waterfront Restaurant, and order a steak with medium well done . While waiting for your steak to cook, dash across to the Sydney Opera House, pull out your tripod, and start playing with the camera to capture the beauty of Vivid Sydney. Also pay attention to ferries that might pass by and interfere, or actually help your photos.
8. Museum of Contemporary Art
In addition to the buildings I mentioned above, on Circular Quay there is also one of the interesting buildings called the Museum of Contemporary Art. On land that was once used as the residence of the Aboriginal Eora people of the Gadigal people, now stands an art deco -style museum to replace the building that was once used as the Maritime Service Board Building.
Now, the museum, which was reopened in 2012, is used to accommodate contemporary artworks from Australia and around the world.
Museum of Contemporary Art
My advice, join the sea of people watching the video mapping at this museum during Vivid Sydney. The Museum of Contemporary Art will turn into a colorful building, and sometimes made it look as if it were transparent. But remember, beware of pickpockets!
9. Customs House Sydney
If the video mapping at the Museum of Contemporary Art hasn’t been enough to satisfy your visuals, then switch to Customs House Sydney, which is located not far from there. The building, which served as the customs center in Australia until 1990, has now been converted into a theater as well as a library in Sydney.
It is also said that there was a death row inmate named David O’Connor who was hanged in this area in 1790, and his spirit still haunts Customs House to this day, offering rum to those he meets. A good ghost, offering people liquor, but sorry, as a sharia traveler , I had to turn it down.
My advice, prepare a strong body and strong arms to jostle with hundreds of visitors who want to watch the video mapping in this place, as well as to support a video camera that might be used to record the events that occurred. If your arms are still not strong enough, use a tripod, or monopod, and start weight training after that.
10. First Fleet Park
Still in the Circular Quay area, there is a green garden around the Museum of Contemporary Art which is said to be the right area for people watching . But when Vivid Sydney came, the park was transformed into a garden full of lights with a variety of interesting installations.
First Fleet Park
My advice, forget for a moment your childhood and join the crammed children to play in the garden full of light bulbs and also experience playing on the swing with the swing arm made of color-changing LED lights. But remember, please stand in line. Just duck in line.
11. Qantas Folding Space
Since I was on the Qantas plane (read as Koantas as in Koantas Bima, not read as Kantas like your love ran aground) before landing smoothly and on time in Sydney, I have been notified of a special installation which is the result of a collaboration with Qantas called Folding Space at Vivid Sydney.
“Space Folding exhibit is a creative visual representation of every Qantas flight in and around Sydney. Capturing the entire Sydney flight schedule from take-off to landing Space Folding is designed to invite viewers inside the exhibit to experience flight paths around them.”
Qantas Space Folding
“Wow, so if a Qantas plane is flying from Sydney or is crossing Sydney it will be detected here.” But how does Zina Kaye’s Space Folding work with Middle Eastern architectural inspiration combined with the city of Sydney?
“All the data is visualised in real time and synchronised with a spatialised musical soundtrack, produced by Zina in collaboration with award winning musical virtuoso, Peret von Sturmer, resulting in a unique multimedia experience. The generative musical composition is live streamed via mobile phones and through headsets available on site during Vivid Sydney.”
So, every time a Qantas plane passes, the lights in the Space Folding will change color, even with the music played through the headset in this installation. A state-of-the-art installation, in collaboration with Qantas which has a long history of supporting the arts community across the country.
