Green light for White Night program

THE globally recognised late-night spectacle of culture, art and music, White Night, has today (Wednesday, August 17) revealed the program for White Night Geelong set to bring every corner of the city’s past, present and future to life.

The event returns to Geelong for the first time since 2018.

Set to take over the streets with immersive projections, interactive installations, live music and street food, White Night Geelong will take place from 7pm on October 8 to 1am on October 9.

This year, the program is bigger, bolder, and bursting with creativity and colour in what will be a transformative celebration of the regional Victorian city.

Private and public spaces from Gheringhap Street to Johnstone Park 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”.

The night will start in Steampacket Gardens with a ceremony by the Traditional Owners of the country on which the event takes place providing a Welcome onto Country.

The one-night-only, all-ages event will reflect Geelong’s distinct passions and characteristics through inclusive celebrations of art, culture and community, for tens of thousands of locals and visitors alike.

The 2022 program highlights include:

• The Electric Canvas again brings Johnstone Park to life with awe-inspiring projections from First Nations artists Kait James, Billy-Jay O’Toole and Jenna Oldaker, whilst Elements of Culture in partnership with Cultura Pako Festa celebrates the diversity of Geelong by projecting 40 portraits of community members, and Matt Bonner’s projection Alignment at City Hall explores First People’s connection to the land and night sky
• Carla O’Brien brings two of her distinct neon creations to Geelong with Neon Play the Music, a set of glowing playable musical instruments; and Under the Neon Sea, a magical marine experience with neon sharks, dolphins, crabs and octopi on the Geelong Foreshore. More underwater creatures can be found at the waterfront, including the Elvers – baby eels created by the UK’s Lantern Company – will glow brilliantly in the water
• A magical, golden, lion-like creature shimmering in crystal shards, The Guardian from Melbourne-based A Blanck Canvas will roam the streets mesmerising audiences, as the giant 10-metre-long puppet safeguards its kingdom
• Giving young people the opportunity to draw on the city they live in, Castlemaine based Video Architecture uses vibrant digital colours in Colouring in Competition to project local children’s art onto their biggest canvas yet
• Heavy Metal by JOFMAKESART is a high-octane, thrilling performance piece where across the night, a car is flattened by an industrial car crusher into a cube of twisted metal, accompanied by the guitar riffs of two heavy metal, head-banging rock musicians
• Unplugged, a White Night commission for 2022 created by Airena, is a giant mind that pulsates with electric neurons, asking audiences to examine what it means to be connected
• The Indirect Object’s inflatable gum nut flowers in Bloom create a still space in Johnstone Park to tune out of the city and into the meditative soundscape of native bush; and Susie Losch’s Waves sees giant tetrapods undulate like waves breaking on the coastline
• Geelong Gallery will open its doors after hours as it comes alive with Barbara Brash’s Holding Form, Brook Andrew’s Hope, Peace, and Paradise, Rose Nolan’s It’s Hard To See What All This Means and the National Gallery touring exhibition Spowers and Syme, and
• Deakin University’s Waterfront façade The Project Space will host two performances and an exhibition by Deakin alumni: the bodies of land-bound dancers are reflected in an imagined sky world in Virtual Now; lost, borrowed, stolen and copied texts are sung, pitch-shifted, blended and performed in Fugue State; and an exhibition of 20 works by artists and designers who have gone through Deakin University’s Geelong-based creative arts and design programs in Sky’s the Limit.

“We are thrilled to transform the heart of Geelong for one very special night through the cultural celebration that is White Night,” White Night creative director Joseph O’Farrell said.

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

Geelong mayor Peter Murrihy said the city was thrilled to have White Night back in Geelong to showcase its beauty and creativity.

“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.”

Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos said White Night was one of the great spectacles that celebrated Victoria’s creativity, communities, and culture.

“Each event is set to bring thousands of visitors to Bendigo and Geelong, delivering a night of artistic celebration and supporting businesses across regions.”

To plan your White Night Experience, head to whitenight.com.au