Apart from attending the UTS @ Vivid Sydney events featuring our UTS researchers and experts, we've curated our top picks across Vivid Sydney’s program that we don't want to miss and don't want you to miss either.
For three weeks, Sydney will be illuminated with lights for the annual Vivid Sydney festival. Vivid Sydney returns this year between Friday 24 May to Sunday 15 June celebrating the theme of ‘Humanity’.
As a proud Location partner, UTS will come alive with activity and we're right in the heart of it!
UTS @ Vivid Sydney events
Say My Name: The Humanity of Names
UTS Great Hall, Level 5, UTS Tower Building 1, 15 Broadway Ultimo 2007
Wednesday 5 June | 6pm – 7:30pm
Can you say my name? Not so far, say Hibaq Farah, Niamh Ní Hoireabhaird, Ranjana Srivastava and the thousands of other Australians whose names are shortened, anglicised, mispronounced or replaced. This storytelling session and panel discussion unpacks how we perceive and acknowledge names unfairly categorised as 'tricky,' 'unfamiliar,' or 'foreign'. Moderated by Jan Fran, hear Dr Elaine Laforteza, Dr Sunil Badami, Dr Kumi de Silva and Dr Mariko Smith as they discuss their personal experiences and the cultural, familial and historical ties of names.
Featuring UTS academic and staff: Dr Elaine Laforteza and Dr Kumi de Silva
Lights
Stateless
Image credit: Adobe Stock
This moving and though-provoking installation by artist and UTS Alumni Sinclair Park, features over 4000 solar-powered LED candles placed along the sandstone blocks of Nawi Cove. Each candle stands for the increasing number of stateless people around the world and is an invitation to acknowledge their plight and tenacity.
Read more and immerse yourself in the lights
Music
Tumbalong Nights
Image credit: Adobe Stock
Tumbalong Park will come alive over 12 days of free music performances from local talent and special international acts. Celebrate Country and culture with a line up of First Nations artists including legendary Christine Anu, Akala Newman, Kee’ahn and Deline Briscoe. Don’t miss big name act Jessica Mauboy who will be making a special appearance!
Food
Vivid Fire Kitchen
Image credit: Adobe Stock
Vivid Fire Kitchen returns this year, and it’s located right on our doorstep. The Goods Line will be ignited with flame-seared street food and fire-cooked dishes showcasing our fine NSW produce. Watch live demonstrations from leading chefs and savour the flavours from all over the world.
Read more and gather around the fire
Ideas
Image credit: Adobe Stock
We're proud to see our UTS Alumni showcasing their meaningful contributions in their respective fields in the Free + Equal Conference and the REMIX Summit during Vivid Sydney. Note: these are ticketed conferences.
Catch UTS Alumni Dr Rosemary Kayess, Kate Eastman AM SC and Alumni / current UTS Academic Associate Professor Ramona Vijeyarasa on the big stage of the Free + Equal Conference, as they entertain and offer intriguing insights into advancing human rights in Australia.
The REMIX Summit features some of the best innovators across the creative and cultural industries. Joining the speaker line up is UTS Alumni John Hughes, talking revolutionary ideas to transform the creative economy.
Read more and spark your curiosity
Events that have reached capacity
Superheroes of Science
Image credit: Amelia Farrell
The University of Technology Sydney
Saturday 1 June
Not all heroes wear capes – some of them wear lab coats! This immersive workshop, designed for kids aged 8-12, plunges you into the wonderful world of microscopic science. This experience is fully interactive — you’re invited to gaze through the microscopes, create your own superheroes of science and make discoveries with clever and cool scientists and filmmakers!
Discover two vast and awesome worlds hidden in plain sight: the world of tiny unseen things and the impact of science on humanity.
Featuring UTS researchers and staff: Professor Rachel Landers, Matt Gidney, Amelia Farrell, Alyssa Mullen, Aki Clayton, Atticus Gough, Associate Professor Louise Cole, Dr Amy Bottomley, Dr Carmine Gentile and Dr Claire Richards.
Spirits of the Hoey
Image credit: Bryan Cook
UTS Building 2
Tuesday 4 June
Re-live the glory days of legendary Sydney music venue, the Hopetoun Hotel. Hear from Aussie musos and Hoey-regulars Sarah Blasko, Clyde Bramley and Sally Seltmann, photographer Tony Mott and UTS researchers Dr Liz Giuffre and Dr Gregory Ferris, who have resurrected the hotel through a new immersive documentary featuring 80 original interviews with musicians, staff, and punters.
A small space that had a huge impact, experience the hidden stories of Sydney’s music scene in the 80s, 90s and early 2000s.
Featuring UTS researchers: Dr Liz Giuffre and Dr Gregory Ferris
Check out what else is happening across the precinct