
Images - White Night Melbourne 2019
Inspired by the
International Nuit Blanche (a sleepless night) movement which began in Paris in 2002, Melbourne joined the list in 2013 and now celebrates its 7th
White Night Reimagined; a
Major Event on Australia's cultural calendar. As its population grows, it has become evident it needed to be extended, and so it has, over three consecutive nights on
Thu 22, Fri 23 and Sat 24 August 2019, running from
7pm to 12am on Thursday and Friday and from
7pm to 2am (Sunday) on the Saturday.
Almost everything at
White Night Reimagined is
FREE, but a few venues may be hosting ticketed events which will be clearly indicated on their individual
program listings, along with booking details. White Night also returns to the regional centres, with the hosting role shared. Ballarat will be hosting White Night on Saturday 21 September 2019, followed by Bendigo in 2020 and Geelong in 2021. Winter 2020 also sees an ambitious new
Melbourne Winter Festival that'll have the best of White Night Reimagined and Melbourne International Arts Festival to become the new drawcard experience, so
keep your eyes peeled for the latest updates.
Birrarung Marr (
Physical Realm),
Batman Avenue, Melbourne,
Treasury Gardens (
Sensory Realm),
2-18 Spring St, East Melbourne and
Carlton Gardens (
Spiritual Realm),
1-111 Carlton St, Carlton will take on distinct themes as they dazzle and transform spaces with live performances and more.
The Physical Realm will be a show of fantastic feats of grace and dexterity, celebrating the art of performance. Performances will float about the crowds; magical and ethereal bodies defying gravity, interweaving across and over the landscape.
Globe features renown Netherlands performance company Close-Act making its Australian debut. Featuring 41 performers in, on, around and above its 16 metre structure, it's an acrobatic show that'll have your heart in your mouth.
Then you have
The Odd Platoon, a 19th century marching band that has no apparent purpose; though everything changes when the soldiers start beating their drums.
The Odd Platoon Drummers will fly under the wings of
Close-Act's Odd Platoon, bringing the beat to Birrarung Marr.
The Heliosphere is a show performed to music, which is both aerobatic and interactive to create the illusion of flying. The aerial dancer suspended beneath an illuminated sphere could reach down and steal your beanie, then swoop 20 metres into the sky in a heartbeat.
The Sensory Realm as the theme suggests, will engage your senses; sight, sound, smell, taste and touch.
The Cocoon is a portal to remind us we are not alone. Living, animated pulses will flow up and around you into the heart of the Cocoon.
Songcloud will take you on a transformative journey with elements that remind you of a simpler way of being. Both Cocoon and Songcloud are by Amigo & Amigo, a Sydney artists' studio with the ability to use light and materials to transform spaces and engage the public.
Synapse lets you experience its power through sound and light, exploring each of the brain's major functions: consciousness, emotion, memory, speech, motion and audiovisual.
Cluster is an audiovisual experience in real time through custom software. A balanced mix of mathematics, music and artistic expression. Take a wander through the space and watch as data is transformed into art before your eyes.
Waterlight Graffiti is bound to be a favourite with the kids as they can express themselves with artwork that lets them paint in light - with water. Making its Australian debut, pick up a brush or a spray bottle, and play! The wetter the better!
Iris is watching; a huge dynamic eyeball that watches over visitors with the depth of detail in the human eye. It consists of scans of real eyes made with medical microscope and digital photographs that have been magnified a thousand times.
Five
Pollution Pods represent polluted environments of cities globally. Each pod replicates these polluted environments which contain varying levels of ozone, particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide and carbon monoxide.
Sensoria is a moving exploration that illustrates our sense through a complete audio visual experience.
The Spiritual Realm will feed your soul and imagination with mysterious creatures and spiritual experiences. It's an exploration of wisdom, spirituality, love, communication, connection and expression. A world of mystery, myth and imagination. Lantern-like animals -
The Lanternist, surround a waterhole. Not far is a massive creature that rules the world; a perfect backdrop for a family selfie. Be
Awakened as a radiant, meditating being emanates an energy of calm, peace and wholeness throughout this realm. A scent of incense in the air and a soundscape of affirmations will transport you to an alternative place.
Like all great
Love stories, there'll be wonder and surprise accompanied by an emotive soundtrack as the aerial artist is suspended high above on 3 pyramid shaped towers soaring 9 metres in the air. Indulge in
Pleasure as fun and frivolity will be the order of the evening. An awesome roaming DJ, and the finest cuisine from Melbourne's famous food truck scene will fulfil your every pleasure zone. Perhaps you'd love connecting with the wisdom of the
Story Trees as it tells the Bunjil creation story of the Kulin Nation. Be introduced to 6 mythical beings that'll bring understanding and delight to audiences of all ages.
Energies will be rejuvenated as beautifully sculpted and illuminated crystals burst from the earth and are found scattered throughout Carlton Gardens.
The White Night Messenger is back. Over 5mt high and with a wing span of 6mt, he brings tidings of peace and unity.
The Swan Sisters will guide you safely through the realm, so be sure to catch them as they glide by, beautiful and surreal, whispering messages to you, connecting you to other worlds.
The Guardian is the protector of the Spiritual Realm. Combining light, sound, smoke and puppetry to create a fantastical beast, he's like something from a dream as he saunters through the Gardens, safeguarding the kingdom and maintaining order.
This iconic Melbourne event that transforms our city has undergone a transformation of its own. Large-scale performances and art installations along with enticing new culinary and music offerings will create a feast for all the senses. With extended hours, be sure to visit the National Gallery of Victoria, State Library Victoria, Melbourne Museum or Arts Centre Melbourne, along with Melbourne's restaurants, bars and venues, and design your own adventure. Take in all realms on a single night or take an entire evening to discover one realm. Your adventure awaits. Get all the
FAQS HERE and be sure to explore the
PROGRAM thoroughly, as there are far more than just
The Realms on offer.
Learn from Aboriginal Victorians about the oldest continuous cultures on earth in
Deadly Questions. Learn what it takes to bring a book to life with
Where Do Books Come From. Become part of a roving artwork showing that physical activity is an intrinsic part of cultural participation.
This Girl Can at
Carlton;
Birrarung Marr and
East Melbourne is a movement to inspire women to smash old-fashioned stereotypes about what they can and can't do.
Discover an extraordinary lineup of artists performing a continuous concert of magnificent vibration in a grand, immersive nod to the timeless impact of drone music in
Superdrone! The
Australian Music Vault will celebrate Australian contemporary music stories, past, present and future in a 300 degree immersive experience that allows you to feel, see and hear a rich tapestry of Aussie music.
Rockwiz has been a huge part of our music culture, and you can
BOOK TICKETS to see Brian Nankervis and The RocKwiz Orkestra paying tribute to the songs and artists featured in the fab exhibition Revolutions: Records and Rebels. Dotted with open bars, great food, roving entertainment and opportunities to explore,
Nocturnal is an after-hours party for exclusive night time access to talks, galleries and more.
The NGV's Great Hall will be home to
Steve Carr: Chasing The Light - a spectacular large scale six channel video projections edited into synchronised footage of six drones flying through a fireworks display. It's also your chance to visit China's ancient
Terracotta Warriors - Guardians of Immortality; and Guo-Qiang - The Transient Landscape also at the NGV. There are 8 of the Qin Emperor's terracotta warriors alongside 2 full sized horses and 2 replica bronze chariots. Highlights at the Transient Landscape includes a spectacular installation of 10 thousand suspended porcelain birds, each individually pigmented by the artist's signature gunpowder explosions.
BOOK YOUR TICKETS for this dual presentation of Chinese art and culture.
Blak Night / White Night at the Melbourne Museum respects our amazing First Nations with a focus on Australia's First Peoples, as well as highlighting the Te Vainui O Pasifika gallery redevelopment phase with a celebration of Pacific Island nations with music, dance and visual arts. An evocative performance environment will feature LED light sculptures and projection art, with curated images of patterns and textures from the Museum's First Peoples collection. It's a good thing
White Night Reimagined - Melbourne is spread over three days, as you're going to need all of it to see everything on offer!