Kiwi artist Angus Muir has stolen the spotlight with his piece at Vivid Sydney — one of the world's largest light, music, and ideas festivals.
In his seventh year of contribution, Muir's piece entitled Connection sits pride of place in one of the most popular spots — right in the heart of the city with the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge serving as a mere backdrop.
New Zealand artist Angus Muir has stolen the spotlight at one of the world's largest light, music, and ideas festivals.
The 12-tonne metal structure encases 35,000 metres of recycled polyester cut into 6000 pieces of drop-down rope which is illuminated by 100 wash lights and 120 metres of neon lighting.
The huge artwork is set to be seen by more than 3.5 million people across the Tasman.
The logistical challenge of transporting his massive installation across the Tasman Sea was no small feat. (Source: Supplied)
"We wanted to create a piece that was kind of accessible by everybody, you know, wheelchairs, old people, young people, the threads of humanity, a place... an installation to immerse yourself with other people," Muir explained.
"It's kinda like a beating heart right in the middle of Sydney, a beacon that people can see from all around the harbour."
The theme of this year's showcase centres on the idea of 'Humanity,' challenging artists to immerse and innovate with their own interpretations.
Muir's installation comes to life with a simple touch, illuminating the rope and bringing the sounds of New Zealand's Waitakere Ranges, including birds and bees, to the heart of Sydney.
While the logistical challenge of transporting his piece across the Tasman Sea was no small feat, Muir said the opportunity to showcase in Australia and see the reactions of people as they experienced it was worth it.
The theme of this year's showcase centres on the idea of 'Humanity,' challenging artists to immerse and innovate with their own interpretations. (Source: Supplied)
"Last week the team was here and we were building it and we sort of had a moment sitting here having some lunch on some boxes by the Opera House, having wraps we had made at home, and we were like... wow this is cool," he said.
Often described as a "mad genius," Muir joked his work was an engineer's nightmare.
"What you don't see is the engineering that goes into this. There's 12 tonnes of steel in this because it's a giant circular cantilever, going against many engineering principles. Engineers don't love these kinds of structures," he admitted with a laugh.
Often described as a "mad genius," Muir joked his work was an engineer's nightmare. (Source: Supplied)
The 23-day festival runs from 24 May to 15 June, promising light installations and 3D projections from Circular Quay to The Goods Line, genre-spanning music performances, ideas sessions, as well as a culinary experience.
And if that was not enough, festival-goers can also expect 40km-long laser beams from Sydney Tower, meaning the festival will be seen from all parts of the CBD.
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