The Victorian Government has revealed the program for White Night Bendigo, which will transform the regional centre into a visual and cultural spectacular on Saturday 1 September 2018.
The acclaimed cultural event is descending on the city for the first time with David Atkins as Artistic Director. The event will pay homage to the city’s rich history, from the Dreamtime stories of its Indigenous owners to its transformation during the gold rush.
The program will also have a distinctly local flavour with 40 percent of commissioned artists and performers personally connected to Bendigo. View Street, Pall Mall, Rosalind Park and the surrounding streets will be transformed through art, colour, music and light.
Visitors will be introduced to the colourful characters and ghostly apparitions of Bendigo’s Fortuna Villa as they are brought to life by Robert Parson’s motion graphic installation, The Fortune Villa Story. Enjoy some art in action with local artist Jane Ineson’s live drawing performance, Envisage; or the Indonesian shadow puppets of Wayang Shadow Play.
Debra Goldsmith transforms Dudley House into a Versailles-inspired fantasy, Chandeliers; inspired by nostalgia, theatricality, and local archaeology, Song for the stage, the captives and the line of production is a three-channel video shot in three iconic Moreland locations – Coburg Drive-in, Pentridge Prison Village and the former Kodak Factory site.
These highlights and many more new installations will combine with some returning favourites including the White Knight Messenger, Calling Occupants, Metamorphosis, Neon Angel Wings and Bunjil the Creator – inspired by the artwork of Ballarat’s Auntie and Indigenous Elder Marlene Gibson.
The live band stage on the corner of Pall Mall and View Street will feature a fantastic lineup of local musicians like KIAN, Jack and the Kids, Jumbo Mavis and Eliza Hull. There will also be live performances on balconies and verandahs along View Street.
Bendigo’s iconic 110-year-old trams will also take a starring role hosting the Tram Queens and it wouldn’t be White Night without a few large-scale projections, including The Secret Life of Buildings!
Bendigo is the second regional centre to host White Night after more than 60,000 people, including more than 15,000 from beyond the region, flocked to White Night in Ballarat earlier this year.
White Night Bendigo takes place Saturday 1 September from 7:00pm and run until 2:00am. For more information and full program, visit: www.whitenight.com.au for details.
Image: The Secret Life of Buildings (supplied)