White Night Geelong — ‘Everything on the land is reflected in the sky’

WATCH the City light up this weekend, as the world-renowned White Night Geelong fills the night with colour and festivities for everyone.

From Gheringhap Street to Johnstone Park, both private and public spaces will be invigorated with a surge of free and family-friendly programming reflecting this year’s theme, ‘Everything on the land is reflected in the sky’.

White Night is a globally recognised spectacle of culture, art and music, and is expected to bring tens of thousands of locals and visitors alike, with immersive projections, interactive installations, live music and street food on Saturday, October 8, from 7pm to 1am.

Internationally acclaimed artist and White Night creative director, Joseph O’Farrell said the night is a cultural celebration, with displays sure to transform the heart of Geelong for one very special night.

“Audiences can expect to be wowed by a world-class lineup of stunning light displays, celestial oddities, street eats and powerful, diverse voices,” O’Farrell said.

One of the many expected highlights of the event is the Imaginary Botanicals display, created by Indirect Object, set to transform Steampacket Gardens into a nature escape from the hustle and bustle with Imaginary Botanicals, an immersive space created from recycled plastic and vividly coloured stained glass.

Indirect Object creative director Beth McMahon said the Indirect Object artists worked with community members through Norlane, Cloverdale and Rosewall Community Centres to design and create the illuminated artworks using recycled plastics collected and donated by the community.

“Our first step was making flowers from recycled bottles, bottle lids, net bags from vegetables and reclaimed scrap plastics and vinyl,” McMahon said.

“Hundreds of flowers were made over six months. More than half were kept by community members, the remaining 400 became Imaginary Botanicals.

“The flowers on display at White Night Geelong are 80 per cent from the North Geelong Community and local artists, 20 per cent from Gladstone QLD and Wagga Wagga NSW.

Imaginary Botanicals is one of six installations and play artworks created in 2021 through the North Geelong Community Lantern Trail, a community collaboration project supported by the City of Greater Geelong through the Arts and Culture Arts Industry Commissions.

For the night, City Hall will also be transformed into a work of art, an interstellar machine that turns day into night and night into day in this vivid projection, ‘Alignment’ by artist Matt Bonner.

Bonner said Alignment explores First Peoples’ connection to the land and star constellations of the night sky and is accompanied by an original ambient soundtrack.

“When the stars align to bring us together, we can share important stories about our past and future.

“City Hall is transformed into an interstellar machine that turns day into night and night into day in this vivid projection.

Geelong Mayor Peter Murrihy said the event will also be beneficial for City of Geelong business, expected to draw tens of thousands of locals and visitors to the city.

“We’re thrilled to have White Night back in Geelong to showcase the beauty and creativity of our city,” Cr Murrihy said

“Geelong is going through a real renaissance and we’re expecting tens of thousands of people to enjoy the spectacular program.

“It’s going to be a bumper night for restaurants, cafes and bars so come into Geelong and enjoy the fun.”