Latest news with #KissofLight
The Advertiser
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Advertiser
Lighting up: Vivid pays tribute to radical queer artist
The Sydney Opera House sails are being illuminated with an animated tribute to the life and work of Australian artist David McDiarmid, as part of the annual Vivid festival. The seven-minute animation titled Kiss of Light marks 30 years since McDiarmid's death from AIDS-related illnesses in 1995. Through his lurid combination of camp and punk, the artist and queer activist helped pioneer a distinctly Sydney queer aesthetic. McDiarmid's designs became influential during the AIDS epidemic during the 1980s and 1990s, when he made posters promoting safe sex and events such as Mardi Gras. The animation by creative technologists VANDAL highlights his most well-known works, such as the Rainbow Aphorisms series, as well as his Bedsheet Paintings and Disco Kwilts. Friend and co-curator of Kiss of Light, Dr Sally Gray said she had long hoped the artist's work would be shown prominently in Sydney. "David often expressed a hope that his work would speak to future generations," she said. "Kiss of Light ensures that his work and his political vision of joy, hope and human dignity for all is shared with millions." The electronic duo Stereogamous (Paul Mac and Jonny Seymour) provide a soundtrack for the projection. Most of the Vivid festival program is free, including a light walk that connects five zones of events around the city. A music program will include more than 100 live performances, with free shows at Tumbalong Park each night of the festival. The NSW government has also extended Sunday trading hours until midnight for many venues in and around the city centre. More than 2.5 million people attended the 2024 festival, generating more than $180 million for the state's economy. Kiss of Light runs each night of Vivid Sydney from 6pm Friday until June 14. Lifeline 13 11 14 Fullstop Australia 1800 385 578 The Sydney Opera House sails are being illuminated with an animated tribute to the life and work of Australian artist David McDiarmid, as part of the annual Vivid festival. The seven-minute animation titled Kiss of Light marks 30 years since McDiarmid's death from AIDS-related illnesses in 1995. Through his lurid combination of camp and punk, the artist and queer activist helped pioneer a distinctly Sydney queer aesthetic. McDiarmid's designs became influential during the AIDS epidemic during the 1980s and 1990s, when he made posters promoting safe sex and events such as Mardi Gras. The animation by creative technologists VANDAL highlights his most well-known works, such as the Rainbow Aphorisms series, as well as his Bedsheet Paintings and Disco Kwilts. Friend and co-curator of Kiss of Light, Dr Sally Gray said she had long hoped the artist's work would be shown prominently in Sydney. "David often expressed a hope that his work would speak to future generations," she said. "Kiss of Light ensures that his work and his political vision of joy, hope and human dignity for all is shared with millions." The electronic duo Stereogamous (Paul Mac and Jonny Seymour) provide a soundtrack for the projection. Most of the Vivid festival program is free, including a light walk that connects five zones of events around the city. A music program will include more than 100 live performances, with free shows at Tumbalong Park each night of the festival. The NSW government has also extended Sunday trading hours until midnight for many venues in and around the city centre. More than 2.5 million people attended the 2024 festival, generating more than $180 million for the state's economy. Kiss of Light runs each night of Vivid Sydney from 6pm Friday until June 14. Lifeline 13 11 14 Fullstop Australia 1800 385 578 The Sydney Opera House sails are being illuminated with an animated tribute to the life and work of Australian artist David McDiarmid, as part of the annual Vivid festival. The seven-minute animation titled Kiss of Light marks 30 years since McDiarmid's death from AIDS-related illnesses in 1995. Through his lurid combination of camp and punk, the artist and queer activist helped pioneer a distinctly Sydney queer aesthetic. McDiarmid's designs became influential during the AIDS epidemic during the 1980s and 1990s, when he made posters promoting safe sex and events such as Mardi Gras. The animation by creative technologists VANDAL highlights his most well-known works, such as the Rainbow Aphorisms series, as well as his Bedsheet Paintings and Disco Kwilts. Friend and co-curator of Kiss of Light, Dr Sally Gray said she had long hoped the artist's work would be shown prominently in Sydney. "David often expressed a hope that his work would speak to future generations," she said. "Kiss of Light ensures that his work and his political vision of joy, hope and human dignity for all is shared with millions." The electronic duo Stereogamous (Paul Mac and Jonny Seymour) provide a soundtrack for the projection. Most of the Vivid festival program is free, including a light walk that connects five zones of events around the city. A music program will include more than 100 live performances, with free shows at Tumbalong Park each night of the festival. The NSW government has also extended Sunday trading hours until midnight for many venues in and around the city centre. More than 2.5 million people attended the 2024 festival, generating more than $180 million for the state's economy. Kiss of Light runs each night of Vivid Sydney from 6pm Friday until June 14. Lifeline 13 11 14 Fullstop Australia 1800 385 578 The Sydney Opera House sails are being illuminated with an animated tribute to the life and work of Australian artist David McDiarmid, as part of the annual Vivid festival. The seven-minute animation titled Kiss of Light marks 30 years since McDiarmid's death from AIDS-related illnesses in 1995. Through his lurid combination of camp and punk, the artist and queer activist helped pioneer a distinctly Sydney queer aesthetic. McDiarmid's designs became influential during the AIDS epidemic during the 1980s and 1990s, when he made posters promoting safe sex and events such as Mardi Gras. The animation by creative technologists VANDAL highlights his most well-known works, such as the Rainbow Aphorisms series, as well as his Bedsheet Paintings and Disco Kwilts. Friend and co-curator of Kiss of Light, Dr Sally Gray said she had long hoped the artist's work would be shown prominently in Sydney. "David often expressed a hope that his work would speak to future generations," she said. "Kiss of Light ensures that his work and his political vision of joy, hope and human dignity for all is shared with millions." The electronic duo Stereogamous (Paul Mac and Jonny Seymour) provide a soundtrack for the projection. Most of the Vivid festival program is free, including a light walk that connects five zones of events around the city. A music program will include more than 100 live performances, with free shows at Tumbalong Park each night of the festival. The NSW government has also extended Sunday trading hours until midnight for many venues in and around the city centre. More than 2.5 million people attended the 2024 festival, generating more than $180 million for the state's economy. Kiss of Light runs each night of Vivid Sydney from 6pm Friday until June 14. Lifeline 13 11 14 Fullstop Australia 1800 385 578
Perth Now
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Lighting up: Vivid pays tribute to radical queer artist
The Sydney Opera House sails are being illuminated with an animated tribute to the life and work of Australian artist David McDiarmid, as part of the annual Vivid festival. The seven-minute animation titled Kiss of Light marks 30 years since McDiarmid's death from AIDS-related illnesses in 1995. Through his lurid combination of camp and punk, the artist and queer activist helped pioneer a distinctly Sydney queer aesthetic. McDiarmid's designs became influential during the AIDS epidemic during the 1980s and 1990s, when he made posters promoting safe sex and events such as Mardi Gras. The animation by creative technologists VANDAL highlights his most well-known works, such as the Rainbow Aphorisms series, as well as his Bedsheet Paintings and Disco Kwilts. Friend and co-curator of Kiss of Light, Dr Sally Gray said she had long hoped the artist's work would be shown prominently in Sydney. "David often expressed a hope that his work would speak to future generations," she said. "Kiss of Light ensures that his work and his political vision of joy, hope and human dignity for all is shared with millions." The electronic duo Stereogamous (Paul Mac and Jonny Seymour) provide a soundtrack for the projection. Most of the Vivid festival program is free, including a light walk that connects five zones of events around the city. A music program will include more than 100 live performances, with free shows at Tumbalong Park each night of the festival. The NSW government has also extended Sunday trading hours until midnight for many venues in and around the city centre. More than 2.5 million people attended the 2024 festival, generating more than $180 million for the state's economy. Kiss of Light runs each night of Vivid Sydney from 6pm Friday until June 14. Lifeline 13 11 14 Fullstop Australia 1800 385 578
Sydney Morning Herald
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
Sydney Opera House celebrates work of late artist with a kiss of light
The work of artist David McDiarmid will illuminate the Sydney Opera House sails during Vivid Sydney – 30 years after the activist's death from an AIDS-related illness. The seven-minute projection, Kiss of Light, will celebrate McDiarmid's vibrant artistic practice, heralded as a declaration of identity, love and protest. McDiarmid's executor and co-curator, Dr Sally Gray, said she had wanted her friend's work to live on beyond his death in 1995, aged 42. 'I've always wanted David's work to be prominently shown in Sydney, the city in which he evolved his unique fusion of queer political activism and aesthetic sensibility, and Kiss of Light is a spectacular realisation of this desire,' Gray said. Hobart-born, McDiarmid's art traversed art, craft, fashion, music, gay liberation and identity politics, popular culture and community engagement. In 1972, McDiarmid became the first person in Australia to be arrested at a gay rights protest, while demonstrating outside ABC studios in Sydney in response to management's decision to cancel a news segment on gay rights. He was also one of the 78ers – referred to the participants of the first Sydney Mardi Gras Parade in 1978. Vivid's director Gill Minervini encountered McDiarmid when she was appointed Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras's first festival director. 'Having worked with David and being witness to his incredible artistry first hand, this year's Lighting of the Sails is extra special,' she said. 'Although at first glance David's story might seem tragic, we feel Kiss of Light will inspire hope and positivity.'
The Age
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Age
Sydney Opera House celebrates work of late artist with a kiss of light
The work of artist David McDiarmid will illuminate the Sydney Opera House sails during Vivid Sydney – 30 years after the activist's death from an AIDS-related illness. The seven-minute projection, Kiss of Light, will celebrate McDiarmid's vibrant artistic practice, heralded as a declaration of identity, love and protest. McDiarmid's executor and co-curator, Dr Sally Gray, said she had wanted her friend's work to live on beyond his death in 1995, aged 42. 'I've always wanted David's work to be prominently shown in Sydney, the city in which he evolved his unique fusion of queer political activism and aesthetic sensibility, and Kiss of Light is a spectacular realisation of this desire,' Gray said. Hobart-born, McDiarmid's art traversed art, craft, fashion, music, gay liberation and identity politics, popular culture and community engagement. In 1972, McDiarmid became the first person in Australia to be arrested at a gay rights protest, while demonstrating outside ABC studios in Sydney in response to management's decision to cancel a news segment on gay rights. He was also one of the 78ers – referred to the participants of the first Sydney Mardi Gras Parade in 1978. Vivid's director Gill Minervini encountered McDiarmid when she was appointed Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras's first festival director. 'Having worked with David and being witness to his incredible artistry first hand, this year's Lighting of the Sails is extra special,' she said. 'Although at first glance David's story might seem tragic, we feel Kiss of Light will inspire hope and positivity.'
