With just over 4 weeks to White Night Melbourne transforming Melbourne’s city streets, major cultural institutions, public spaces, gardens, landmark buildings and laneways on Saturday 20 February 2016 from 7pm, the 2016 program has been revealed by Artistic Director Andrew Walsh AM.
The program features performance, illuminations, art installations and music throughout the city and in and on some of Melbourne’s most iconic spaces including the Royal Exhibition Building, Federation Square, Melbourne Town Hall, Melbourne City Baths, Arts Centre Melbourne, State Library Victoria, National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne Museum and ACMI.
“The team at White Night has been working hard to finalise the program and I am pleased to release the final installations and illuminations that will complement our major commissions and the vibrant music program already announced,” said Mr Walsh.
“Once again, White Night Melbourne will enable a diverse group of local artists to showcase their creative works in and on the streets, buildings and public spaces of Australia’s most liveable, and creative city.”
Some highlights from the 2016 program – with themes ranging from the environment to fashion and audience interaction include:
Aqua Vitae Presented by Melbourne Water – Yarra River
A droplet. A ripple. A splash. A puddle. A river. A wall of water. Water jets. Water creatures. Water, water, water… A laser, light and water show on the Yarra River, Aqua Vitae, celebrates this vital resource and its integral contribution to enhancing life and liveability in Melbourne, and beyond.
White Wash – CGI Building, 181 Swanston Street
A Large scale projection from ocean-loving filmmaker Chase Burns exploring the modern day zeitgeist of rising sea levels and inviting viewers to open their minds to the possibilities of the not too distant future. From the safety of the footpath – of course.
The Dresses – Queen Victoria Gardens
French artist Tae Gon Kim’s ethereal work, The Dresses shapes hundreds of fibre-optic strands into the form of three beautiful and extravagant gowns suspended in darkness – apparitions, shimmering from the realms of fantasy. Slowly the illuminated optical fibre in each dress changes colour, symbolising its history and transformation over time. Each of the dresses weaves its own story of relationships, love and intimacy – inviting adoration and adornment alongside immersion and transformation.
Neon Laneway – Rutledge Lane
A colourful fusion of urban art and contemporary dance that will light up the iconic Hosier and Rutledge Lane junction in a fluid blend of physical and visual street art backed by an explosive soundtrack of contemporary Australian beats.
Landscaping Architecture – State Library Victoria forecourt
The State Library Victoria forecourt undergoes a playful re-landscaping. Artist Amanda Morgan tips her creative cap to heritage and architecture in an immersive large-scale video installation in William Guilfoyle’s garden. Activated with imagery from Amanda and photographer James HH Morgan, and music from DJ JNETT, one of Melbourne’s favourite meeting places will be transformed into a colourful playground or a contemplative resting place.
Skate White Night All Night – Riverslide Skate Park – Alexandra Gardens
Big hART is collaborating with Melbourne artists and skateboarders to create a new theatre show called SKATE. The event brings projectionists, percussionists, lighting and sound to Riverslide… you bring your skateboard.
Black Mirror – Queen Victoria Gardens, Janet Lady Clarke Rotunda
A gestural augmented reality projection artwork. Venture into a misty Hades and gaze into the Black Mirror. See your reflection and use your body to explore a mysterious interior underworld projected in the Queen Victoria Gardens famous rotunda.
Decade and Decadent – State Library Victoria, northern facade
Australian photographer Rennie Ellis (1940–2003) was a key figure in the nation’s visual culture and is best remembered for his effervescent observations of life during the 1970s – 90s. Although invariably inflected with his own personality and wit, the thousands of social documentary photographs taken by Ellis during this period now form an important historical record. The images in this projection have been drawn from two award-winning books by Rennie Ellis – Decade and Decadent – and highlight some of the defining images of Australian life from the ‘70s and ‘80s.
Kaleidodreams – Old Melbourne Gaol Wall (RMIT)
Captivating Melbourne Burlesque artist Sina King takes centre stage in this kaleidoscopic exploration of dance, fashion and art. Collaborating with multi-faceted artist Jake Stollery, these two talented Melburnian creatives combine sensual silhouettes with dynamic animation and an ever-changing palette of fashion textiles to create a stylish suite of graphic projections.
Ideation – La Trobe Reading Room, State Library Victoria
The State Library’s majestic domed La Trobe Reading Room is a place where an incalculable number of thoughts, concepts, stories, words, images and sounds are collected and created. Ideation is a spectacular celebration of the power of libraries to teach, inspire and grow. It celebrates and reviews aspects of the world’s achievements in knowledge.
Encounters – Palm Lawn, Alexandra Gardens
A cohesion of sound, music, lighting, and visual effects that you control. Encounters is an interactive digital art installation that, through its dynamic nature, allows audience interaction to produce a dynamically composed soundscape, a series of visual effects and responsive lighting.
Painting with Light – ArtPlay, Birrarung Marr
Imagineers Anita G and Andy Phillips combine their skills and passions to create a hub for camera-carrying photographers of all skill levels who want to congregate, share images, learn tricks of the trade, or explore the latest in light painting techniques.
Urban Creatures – City Square fountain
There are strange and wonderful characters lurking in the streets of Melbourne and for one night only the talented animators from Victorian College of Art will lure these urban creatures out to play. Accompanied by the heavy dance beats of urban music, visitors are invited to dance the night away with a colourful array of animated characters.
In 2016 the precincts include The Big Top at the Carlton Gardens, Royal Exhibition Building, Melbourne Museum and its Plaza. Northern Lights from Lonsdale Street north to RMIT, State Library Victoria and the Melbourne City Baths. Monkey Business will incorporate the CBD, Flinders Lane and Bourke Street Mall, while Wonderland will again be located throughout Flinders Street, Federation Square and Birrarung Marr.
Southern Lights will include the NGV, Arts Centre Melbourne, and the Alexandra and Queen Victoria Gardens. White Night Melbourne is the city as you know it, turned on its head in a dusk ‘til dawn celebration of culture and creativity. A night where the surreal seems real, White Night Melbourne is a rare opportunity to experience the city in a different light. Public transport will run all night with an extended timetable.
“White Night Melbourne’s 2016 program represents more than 1,595 creative industries members and 120 works making this the biggest program for the event yet,” said Minister for Tourism and Major Events John Eren. “As well as delivering a fantastic creative platform for artists and creative practitioners, the event also delivers an important economic injection into our city businesses, hotels and retailers. I congratulate all involved.”
White Night Melbourne runs from 7.00pm Saturday 21 February to 7.00am Sunday 22 February 2016. For more information and full program, visit: www.whitenightmelbourne.com.au for details.
Image: Rennie Ellis, Decade and Decadent (supplied)