Vivid Sydney 2012

Photo by: Cris Pacis

Photo by: Ronnie Alonzo

Photo by: Ronnie Alonzo

The very first city event I witnessed since arriving in Sydney last June was the much talked about Vivid Sydney 2012. I was with close friends who braved the winter night chill and walked around the city along with thousands of other people who came to witness the last night of the event.

Photo by: Cris Pacis

Photo by: Cris Pacis

Vivid Sydney is an ‘annual event of light, music and ideas’, check this link for more information: Vivid Sydney. The good thing about this event is the fact that it’s also free! Designated areas, places and landmarks around the Sydney CBD come alive after dark and become a feast for the eyes. It was amazing to see and think that such masterpieces were created by someone.  The arts scene is definitely active and alive and this event was a good outlet for such incredible creativity.

Photo by: Cris Pacis

Photo by: Ronnie Alonzo

I saw heaps of interactive light sculptures and light shows (the one done on customs house was tops for me – aside from the light show, it was some sort of a short animation of a typical working day in Sydney). Each exhibition had a description which was very informative as it contained the concept of the exhibit, the artist, among other factoids. If you view the map Vivid Sydney Program Map you will find a lot of exhibits of which I was only able to see maybe a quarter of the total – credit that too the freezing night, major-major long queues to any reputable dining establishment and wearing shoes that wasn’t meant for heavy walking. After two hours of going around Circular Quay, we just about had it and decided to walk all the way back to Town Hall to fetch the car and go home.

Photo by: Cris Pacis

Photo by: Ronnie Alonzo

Photo by: Ronnie Alonzo

Because this was my first experience of Vivid Sydney, in my eyes it was already good. My friends however said Vivid Sydney 2011 was far better than this year’s. They could be right but for a newbie like me, it was way beyond my expectations. I’m looking forward to what 2013 will bring to this event and for sure I’ll be better equipped (good walking shoes, load up on food to last me the night, a good DSLR in hand and I will try not to see it on the last night!).