The Sails of Sydney Opera House

The Sails of Sydney Opera House

A selection of special films that highlight the unique architecture of Sydney Opera House.

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The Sails of Sydney Opera House
  • Lighting of the Sails 2024: Echo by Julia Gutman and Pleasant Company: AD

    Audio Described.

    Livestreamed Friday 24th May 2024 at 6pm AEST. Through fantastic and impossible imagery, Australian artist and Archibald Prize winner Julia Gutman with animation technologists, Pleasant Company, conjure an epic animated journey of inner and self-discovery. Soundtrack by Angus Mi...

  • Lighting of the Sails 2023: Life Enlivened: Audio Described

    The Sydney Opera House farewells one of Australia’s most admired artists, Dr John Olsen AO OBE. We proudly pay tribute to Olsen’s extraordinary six-decade career in Lighting of the Sails: Life Enlivened when his works will be animated and projected on the Opera House sails for Vivid Sydney from 2...

  • Badu Gili: Celestial - The Sails of Sydney Opera House (2023) Audio Described

    A celebration of the rich history and contemporary vibrancy of Australia’s First Nations culture, Badu Gili continues the traditions of Bennelong Point, formerly known as Tubowgule ('where the knowledge waters meet'), a gathering place for community, ceremony and storytelling for thousands of yea...

  • Arup presents Momentus

    Arup, with support from the Sydney Opera House, is proud to present Momentus, a special event connecting great minds and brave actions for a sustainable future. Taking place in the Sydney Opera House’s 50th anniversary year, this inaugural event was inspired by the spirit of creativity, innovatio...

  • Lighting of the Sails 2024: Echo by Julia Gutman and Pleasant Company

    Livestreamed Friday 24th May 2024 at 6pm AEST. Through fantastic and impossible imagery, Australian artist and Archibald Prize winner Julia Gutman with animation technologists, Pleasant Company, conjure an epic animated journey of inner and self-discovery. Soundtrack by Angus Mills.

    Lighting of...

  • Kevin McCloud - A Grand Design - Sydney Opera House (2018)

    As the host of the popular TV show Grand Designs, Kevin McCloud is no stranger to ambitious architectural projects. During his 2018 visit to Australia for a series of events, he visited Sydney Opera House to see how our Decade of Renewal was progressing.

  • The Last Post (Winds of Change)

    2 items

    The Last Post (Winds of Change) is a new arrangement of the special ceremonial piece, which holds great significance to everyone who has fought for this country, their families, and for Australian citizens.

    Developed over two years by First Nations arts company Garrijimanha, the new work is perf...

  • Music of the Sails - A 50th Anniversary Digital Artwork (2023)

    4 items

    ‘Music of the Sails’ was an ambitious 50th anniversary digital artwork that reimagined the sounds of the House - and was live-streamed for 744 hours throughout October 2023.

    As we celebrated our 50th year, we dreamt about the future, and contemplated the ways in which technology will impact on c...

  • What is The City But The People? (2023)

    Available worldwide until 1st Oct 2028.
    ‘What Is the City but the People?’ was a unique portrait of Sydney created by its people, showcasing the story, sentiments and soul of the city. Raised above the forecourt, Sydneysiders walked a 60 metre catwalk backed by live music, projected photographs ...

  • Badu Gili: Celestial - The Sails of Sydney Opera House (2023)

    A celebration of the rich history and contemporary vibrancy of Australia’s First Nations culture, Badu Gili continues the traditions of Bennelong Point, formerly known as Tubowgule ('where the knowledge waters meet'), a gathering place for community, ceremony and storytelling for thousands of yea...

  • From The Sails: Light Years (2022)

    2 items

    In October 2022, we kicked off our 50th anniversary celebrations with ‘From the Sails: Light Years’ - a film projected nightly onto the Opera House sails that celebrated the past, present and people of the building.


    The film looks back at the design and construction of the Opera House, the gran...

  • Lighting of the Sails 2023: Life Enlivened by John Olsen and Curiious

    The Sydney Opera House farewells one of Australia’s most admired artists, Dr John Olsen AO OBE. We proudly pay tribute to Olsen’s extraordinary six-decade career in Lighting of the Sails: Life Enlivened when his works will be animated and projected on the Opera House sails for Vivid Sydney from 2...

  • Lighting of the Sails 2022: Yarrkalpa - Hunting Ground, 2021

    Yarrkalpa - Hunting Ground, 2021
    By The Martu Artists And Curiious
    (Inspired By Yarrkalpa – Always Walking Country 2014)
    With Soundtrack By Electric Fields Featuring The Vocals Of The Martu Artists

    Two years in the making, a stunning new digital artwork, 'Yarrkalpa – Hunting Ground, 2021', cre...

  • Badu Gili | Wonder Women

    A celebration of the rich history and contemporary vibrancy of Australia’s First Nations culture, Badu Gili continues the traditions of Bennelong Point, formerly known as Tubowgule ('where the knowledge waters meet'), a gathering place for community, ceremony and storytelling for thousands of yea...

  • Badu Gili | Judith (Jenuarrie) Warrie, Mervyn Rubuntja & Djambawa Marawili

    Badu Gili lights up the eastern Bennelong Sail with ancient First Nations stories in a spectacular projection. Curated by Rhoda Roberts, former Head of First Nations Programming, Badu Gili traces the ancient songlines of First Nations storytelling across Australia.

    See the works of eminent Firs...

  • Delta Goodrem: Global Citizen LIVE at the Sydney Opera House

    In 2019, the Sydney Opera House became the first major Australian arts organisation to make a commitment to achieving the Global Goals. We continue to further embed the Global Goals into our work.

    We were super excited to have been part of Global Citizen Live – a 24-hour Global event featuring o...

  • Lighting of the Sails 2019: Austral Flora Ballet by Andrew Thomas Huang

    Watch the sails of the Sydney Opera House transform into a large-scale canvas for Vivid Sydney, featuring Andrew Thomas Huang's new work "Austral Flora Ballet".

    Commissioned by the Sydney Opera House & Destination NSW for the Lighting of The Sails at Vivid Sydney 2019.

    Director: Andrew Thomas ...

  • Lighting of the Sails 2022: Yarrkalpa - Hunting Ground, 2021: Audio Described

    The Sydney Opera House annually creates visual descriptions of the animation projected onto the iconic Opera House sails for people who are blind or have low vision. This year, the animation was a collaboration bringing to life the intricate painting ‘Yarrkalpa – Hunting Ground, 2021’ in which ei...

  • Badu Gili | Celebrating First Nations Culture: Audio Described

    This stream is audio description is for those who are blind or have low vision, as well as their family, friends, companions and carers who would like to experience an audio description of Badu Gili 2018, an Opera House sails lighting experience that takes place on the Bennelong sail each day at ...