Expanded Vivid Sydney Line-up Shines in 2016

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160316/344792
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160316/344793

Destination NSW Chief Executive Officer and Executive Producer Vivid Sydney, Sandra Chipchase said, "This year Vivid Sydney is back with an incredible program where art, creativity and innovation meet, and are celebrated by local and international visitors."

"Vivid Sydney delivers the world's leading light artists in Vivid Light, cutting-edge musicians in Vivid Music, and creative innovators in Vivid Ideas. In 2015 the festival attracted a record 1.7 million attendees, and this year visitors to Vivid Sydney will have longer to experience the wonder of Vivid Sydney, and enjoy our biggest year yet."

In a Vivid Sydney first, the sails of the world-heritage listed will celebrate the rich and diverse work of Australia's Indigenous artists through the projection, . This exceptional work of art is directed by Sydney Opera House Head of Indigenous Programming, Rhoda Roberts of the Bundjalung Nation of NSW, and brings together six Indigenous artists whose work illustrates the extraordinary connections between Indigenous astronomy and the natural world - the celestial and terrestrial that weave through time and distance, earth and sky.

Vivid Sydney's brilliant light also returns to , , and the , and new precinct , which becomes the festival's first indoor precinct. Treasured attractions, the and , will light up during Vivid Sydney in celebration of the monumental anniversaries both celebrate in 2016.

At , visitors will take a glittering journey through the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney as part of its 200 birthday celebrations. Grand installations will dazzle and delight including the impressive 60-metre long , made from hundreds of thousands of white LEDs which radiate gentle but brilliant light from all angles.

Taronga Zoo will be illuminated by larger-than-life multimedia sculptures of ten critical species ranging from the magnificent Asian elephant to the vividly coloured Corroboree frog, encouraging visitors to in Taronga Zoo's centenary year and beyond.

will pulse through the city with new sounds and venues with highlights including the world premiere of , a new virtual reality project from the international avant-garde artist and the inaugural - a large scale live music and art event from Fuzzy Music, both held at .

at the Sydney Opera House will unleash a series of incredible acts including synth-pop legends , indie folk band , jazz artist and the Australian premiere of astonishing multimedia show.

The will present performed by talented students with guest artists Natasha Anderson , Anthony Pateras and Clayton Thomas . Aussie hip-hop will be celebrated at and at The Factory in Marrickville. ARIA Hall of Fame inductees and 80s trailblazers the Models will join fellow chart-toppers the Machinations and a stripped down version of Dave Mason's The Reels to present for one night only at the Enmore Theatre.

Vivid Music venues joining the line-up in 2016 include , brand new venue and returning favourites including , and .

At , the will be headlined by storytellers shaping the creative landscape including acclaimed director and producer , creator , the creative force behind , and one of Australia's most influential new creatives,

Across the city, creative conferences will dive into the business of innovation and imagination with highlights including which delves into Australia's start-up culture, an exploration of how technology and digital media can shape exciting, liveable cities at the and , a dynamic summit exploring the idea that 'good business' is good for everyone.

Vivid Sydney, now in its eighth year is the world's largest festival of light, music and ideas and is owned, managed and produced by the NSW Government's tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW. Vivid Sydney runs from Friday 27 May to Saturday 18 June 2016 . For more information visit www.vividsydney.com.

Vivid Sydney thanks its sponsors for their support of the festival in 2016 including Partners Intel and Huawei, and Supporters Canon, Coates Hire , City of Sydney , Department of Premier and Cabinet, Google, Indeed, Jaguar, Oracle Liquid, Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority, Sydney Opera House, Technical Direction Company and 32 Hundred Lighting.

The full media kit, 2016 program announcement video content, and high-res imagery, including 2016 light renders and footage of 2015 festival highlights, is available at www.vividsydney.com/media-centre.