White Night Reimagined will dazzle and delight for another year, with the Victorian Government unveiling the 2019 program for the three-night creative celebration that will bring Melbourne to life after dark.
Minister for Creative Industries Martin Foley joined artistic director David Atkins OAM to reveal the live performances, art installations and projections that will animate three of Melbourne’s iconic park and garden precincts, along with its renowned cultural institutions.
“Across three days and nights, Melbourne’s renowned creative side will come out to play, transforming our spaces with performances, art installations and projections – showcasing talent from Victoria and beyond,” said Minister for Creative Industries Martin Foley. “Bring your family, bring your friends and enjoy awe-inspiring creative experiences in this exciting reimagining of White Night.”
The extended three-night program will run from 22 – 24 August at Birrarung Marr, Treasury Gardens and Carlton Gardens, with each location taking on a distinct theme.
Birrarung Marr will transform into the Physical Realm – showcasing the Australian premiere of Globe by Amsterdam’s famed street theatre group Close Act. Combining circus skills, dance, music and projection, this extraordinary show features 42 acrobats, aerialists, singers and actors.
Treasury Gardens will be the Sensory Realm – featuring works inspired by the five senses, including dynamic lighting and audio installations, projections and interactive artworks from a mix of local and international artists.
Mystery, myth and magic will fill the Spiritual Realm at Carlton Gardens, with a 10-metre long lion named The Guardian by Melbourne artist Joe Blanck roaming the precinct as trees illuminate with stories that celebrate Indigenous Australia.
Other venues including National Gallery of Victoria, State Library Victoria, Arts Centre Melbourne and Melbourne Museum will present unique and complementary offerings to the thousands of visitors expected at the festival. White Night Reimagined will also include an exciting range of culinary and live music experiences, with details to be announced in the coming weeks.
From 2020, White Night will become part of a new and bigger winter festival along with the Melbourne International Arts Festival (MIAF) – a blockbuster addition to Victoria’s major events calendar.
White Night will continue in regional Victoria this year with Ballarat welcoming the event for a third time on 21 September before Bendigo and Geelong play host to Winter Festival events in 2020 and 2021 respectively.
“My team and I have collaborated with artists from across Melbourne, Australia and the world to curate the White Night Reimagined artistic program for 2019. We can’t wait to share it with the thousands of visitors set to attend,” said artistic director David Atkins OAM.
“White Night Reimagined will transform Melbourne this winter, embracing our beautiful outdoor spaces and gardens, celebrating our myriad of creative institutions, and awakening our senses.”
White Night Reimagined runs from 22 – 24 August. For more information, visit: www.whitenight.com.au for details.
Image: Globe – photo by Gerard Dubois