Lighting of the Sails 2023: Life Enlivened by John Olsen and Curiious
The Sails of Sydney Opera House
•
15m
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 26 May – 17 June 2023.
Olsen’s vibrant paintings of life and energy within the natural world distil the essence of his esteemed career, spanning over sixty years. The animated artwork Lighting of the Sails: Life Enlivened spotlights Olsen’s enduring interest and fascination with Australian nature and landscape. Through images selected by curator Dr. Deborah Hart and animated by creative technologists Curiious, Life Enlivened (2023) celebrates the propulsive power of Olsen’s painterly brush to envision the natural world anew.
Our thoughts are with Tim, Louise and their families.
“In your life you’ve got to have luck. To have this opportunity, I appreciate it very much. I can’t wait for overseas people and all Australians to see Vivid. God, I’m a lucky dog.”
- John Olsen
Vale John Olsen AO OBE
1928 – 2023
#VividSydney #VividLIVE
John Olsen footage courtesy of Destination NSW for Vivid Sydney 2023.
—
Curiious Project Team
CEO
Michelle Schuberg
Director of Operations
Karen Arkell
Artistic Curator
Dr. Deborah Hart
Executive Creative Director
Fabio Nardo
Senior Producer
Jo Yates
Creative Director
Christian J Heinrich
Lead Artist
Christian J Heinrich
CG | Unreal Engine Artist
Brad Allen
Animator
Jelena Sinik
Animator
Jonathan Nix
Animator
Nicolette Axiak
Animator
Amy Bell
Chief Technology Office
Phil Sullivan
Touchdesigner Dev
Boris Bagattini
Soundtrack Composition
Edwin Montgomery
Soundtrack Composition
William Barton
Trumpet
Simon Ferenci
Drums
Glenn Wilson
with special thanks to
Tim Olsen
Kylie Norton
Up Next in The Sails of Sydney Opera House
-
Lighting of the Sails 2022: Yarrkalpa...
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 ArtistsTwo 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...
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...
