VIVID 2016: Zootopia

Sydney May 2016 (17 photos)

This is Part 6 of my 8 part VIVID Sydney 2016 series.

Sydney’s Taronga Zoo celebrates its Centenary in 2016 and also partners with VIVID for the first time. If you’re not familiar with Sydney, Taronga Zoo is situated on the foreshore of Sydney Harbour, a short ferry ride from the Sydney Opera House region. Naturally enough, an animated display was projected onto the entrance of the zoo.

Look up! The Pygmy Tarsiers family says “Welcome to Zootopia”.

Greater Bilby. IUCN* Status: Vulnerable.

“Be The Light For The Wild” is the name for the displays in this precinct, all created by Ample Projects.

“Be The Light For The Wild” leads us along an illuminated trail comprised of giant animal multimedia light sculptures. At the start of the trail, we walk through a forest with multiple laser beams creating a magical atmosphere. Walking through this, I immediately realised this was going to be a good showing.

Echidna: Yummy yummy yummy I got ants in my tummy.

Platypus. IUCN* Status: Threatened.

“Be the Light for the Wild” featured ten endangered Legacy species from Australia and Sumatra, ranging from the magnificent Asian elephant to the brightly coloured Corroboree frogs, species that Taronga Zoo is committed to protecting.

Cicadas light the night.

Green Turtle. IUCN* Status: Endangered.

Chameleon. One day my kin will storm into Sydney and they won’t see us coming.

Created with interactive lighting, sound effects and moving parts, these giant light sculptures were among the largest and most technologically advanced lanterns ever to feature in Vivid.

Sumatran Rhino. IUCN* Status: Critically Endangered.

Saltwater Crocodile: Good evening, dinner!

The 10 Legacy Species light sculptures were augmented by a supporting cast of lanterns of Australian creatures.

Asian Elephant. IUCN* Status: Endangered.

Additionally 1700 smaller lanterns made by NSW primary school students were hung around the trail in celebration of the Zoo’s Centenary, as part of an awareness campaign about critical species.

Sunda Sagolin. IUCN* Status: Critically Endangered.

Corroboree Frog. IUCN* Status: Critically Endangered.

Pygmy Tarsiers: Thanks for visiting. Help us before it’s too late. Come back soon.

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* The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) is an international organization working in the field of nature conservation and sustainable use of natural resources. It is involved in data gathering and analysis, research, field projects, advocacy, lobbying and education. IUCN’s mission is to “influence, encourage and assist societies throughout the world to conserve nature and to ensure that any use of natural resources is equitable and ecologically sustainable.”

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This is Part 6 of my 8 part VIVID Sydney 2016 series.

All of my photography from this series and previous years of VIVID Sydney going back to 2012 can be found here: VIVID Sydney page