White Night Geelong makes its debut this Saturday 13 October 2018, when it will light up this beautiful city and transform its streets, laneways, parks and the foreshore. Australian Arts Review takes a look at ten activities worth checking out:
Chandeliers
Artist Debra Goldsmith’s Chandeliers transforms GPAC into a Versailles-inspired fantasy with an installation of six chandeliers made entirely from discarded PET soft drink bottles, wire and other found plastic items. The installation’s playful grandeur, created using common and ordinary materials, aims to fascinate, surprise and delight as the ordinary is turned into the extraordinary. By re-envisioning the value and possibility of the seemingly worthless, Chandeliers takes our disposable culture and repurposes it into a fantasy world where status is irrelevant and the power of imagination rules – and you’re invited to share the power of dreaming: where once chandeliers were considered symbols of decadence, power and wealth, here they are all about what can happen when we see things differently.
Enlightened Disciples
What does it take to understand the nature of light? To understand what this thing we call light is? How does one venture towards an enlightenment of light? In their quest for enlightenment, the disciples of light quietly and without trepidation have evolved to seed light in corners far too dark for thoughts to be thought and far too cold for a future to be fought for. They have evolved to light pathways, routes and crossings with a means of creating opportunities for discovery and for our own enlightenment.
LANTASIA Lights
The sculptural lanterns of LANTASIA Lights were designed to fit the landscape and enhance the natural beauty of the area at their home nestled in the wetlands and gardens of the Mornington Peninsula. Now they are making their way to White Night Geelong for the first time. The lanterns have been designed by illustrator/designer Tyson Savanah (AKA Father Marker) and handcrafted into metal sculptures, illuminated with LED lights and encased in silk skin. The designs represent the diverse fauna and flora found throughout Australia, with frogs, butterflies, gumnuts and caterpillars all coming to life.
Majestic Insurgence
A secret world is approaching ours through a series of wardrobes. Teetering at the striations between these worlds, it glistens with colour and peculiarity. Perhaps children’s previous explorations of worlds behind their wardrobes have provided a path for this colourful world to enter ours. The movement of the wardrobe’s doors is the only thing left holding this world back. Why does this world seek to enter ours? Why now? Is this a call for assistance, an offer of help or the beginnings of an insurgence, a rather majestic one at that?
Neon Angel Wings
Show your most angelic, or demonic, side in a phosphorescent playground fit for a pop star, or the Morning Star. In September 2016, when singer Katy Perry posted an Instagram pic of herself as a ‘luminary fairy’ in front of visual artist Carla O’Brien’s Neon Angel Wings at Nevada’s Burning Man, O’Brien’s work immediately went global. Now she’s bringing her divine wings back home and you too can become a luminary fairy! The four-metre wide seraphic wings – O’Brien’s signature art piece – feature ‘feathers’ made from LED Neon Flex, and are mounted such that at night time they give the appearance of hovering in space. This allows you to take photos of yourself ‘wearing’ the wings.
Siren Songs
In Greek mythology, the Sirens were dangerous creatures, who lured nearby sailors with their enchanting music and singing voices to shipwreck on the rocky coast of their island. This installation set on Corio Bay by Cunningham Pier is a combination of projection and audio soundscape. Yacht sails will provide the canvas with the sirens’ song creating a haunting soundscape. Be careful not to let them lure you in…
The Armistice – Victoria Remembers
The Armistice display on the City Hall facade marks the 100 year anniversary of the end of World War I. The Armistice is a time for reflection and celebration. It reminds us of those who served Australia including those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
The Secret Life of Buildings
The Electric Canvas and DAE White Night will create a projection mapping on the old Dalgety & Co. building that will celebrate Geelong and Australia’s past decades. The 30s, 50s, 60s, 80s and 90s fashion, entertainment and lifestyle icons of each decade will adorn the Dalgety & Co. heritage facade. See what you can find and remember of the recent past as Geelong celebrates the icons of the recent decades.
The Sleep Keepers
The Sleep Keepers have watched the world become too busy, too stressful, too frantic, and let sleep go astray. And when sleep goes astray, life gets a little wonky. From the realm of the deep night, the Sleep Keepers have come with their bed of dreams, to tuck you in and take you for a ride into the world of bedtime stories and lullabies. Close your eyes and drift away… Comedy, song, music, story and the gentle art of slumber are woven into this roving act that travels between a performance for many and a unique experience for one or two. Be invited into the bed on wheels, choose to be sung to, read to, told a tale, and let the Sleep Keepers take you on a journey to rest and inspire the weary traveller.
The White Knight Messenger
A beloved White Night favourite for two years running, the Messenger is back with tidings of peace and unity – something the world needs now more than ever! Over five metres high and with wings that span six metres, the Messenger is an awe-inspiring, futuristic archangel that transcends nationality and religion to spread its message of love and compassion. Highlighting that our similarities are more important than our differences, the Messenger will once again stride through the streets aiming to inspire all people, regardless of race, gender, faith, age or orientation.
White Night Geelong takes place this Saturday 13 October 2018 from 7.00pm to 2.00am. For more information, visit: www.whitenight.com.au for details.
Image: The Armistice – Victoria Remembers (supplied)