Wagnerlicht

belinda middlebrook_wood birdA multimedia installation to celebrate the bicentenary of the birth of Richard Wagner, Wagnerlicht explores and reinterprets the composer’s epic music drama Der Ring des Nibelungen (The Ring Cycle) for a young generation not familiar with Wagner’s work.

A concept by Michael Day from the University of Technology, Sydney,  Wagnerlicht is made up of various multi-scale components which use different technologies in a way that allows viewers to interact with them, recreating sections of Wagner’s epic Der Ring des Niebelungen.

The exhibition consists of sculptural elements designed and fabricated by innovative young and established light artists and academics plus post graduate and undergraduate design & sound students from the University of Technology Sydney and the University of Applied Sciences in Ansbach, Germany.

Wagnerlicht started in May 2013 at the Sydney Conservatorium as part of the Sydney Vivid Festival of Light, Music & Ideas and travelled to the Bachhaus Museum in Eisenach in Germany in July. At each venue, the exhibition was expanded to accommodate more elements added by local design and music students.

From Melbourne, plans are underway for Wagnerlicht to continue on and travel to light festivals in Moscow, Rio de Janeiro, Singapore and Lyon.

When finally fully assembled in three years in the Czech Republic at the Prague Sceneography Quadrennial, the installation will consist of over 40 elements that will present a multi-layered interpretation of the philosophy and musical themes of the Ring Cycle.

The free exhibition can be seen at Arts Centre Melbourne throughout November as part of Opera Australia’s Melbourne Ring Cycle celebrations.

Wagnerlicht
Theatres Building Foyers – Arts Centre Melbourne, St. Kilda Road, Melbourne
On Exhibition: 15 November – 14 December 2013
Free entry

For more information, visit: www.artscentremelbourne.com.au for details.

Image: Wood Bird by Belinda Middlebrook