Sunday 13 June 2010

Vivid opera


Angst here today. folks. To post or not to post.

If Jeremiah was a bullfrog, what did he croak about? If that frog had a blog would he winge? A 'jeremiad' is a complaint, a lamentation, in current parlance, a bitch session.

So ... here goes ...


Vivid is a celebration of light which commenced in June 2009. June is the middle of our winter. It is a bit dull and boring. Hence, something to get the populace out on the streets. I have now experienced three aspects of Vivid 2010. It could just be me, but I did not like any of them particularly. Neither the Macquarie Street holograms, nor the lighting of the Opera House sails, nor 'Fire & Water' were a patch on the 2009 offerings. Technically, I suspect they were more complex and 'better' but they were difficult to watch and appreciate. There was too much visual movement, too much visual complexity and way too much writing. 'Fire & Water' was an embarrassment that may have worked on the drawing board but was a yawn on the harbour.

A waste of money. Please don't use my taxes for more of the same in 2011.

20 comments:

brattcat said...

Winge away, Jeremiah. It's your right. I still think the images are pretty fabulous. Of course it isn't my tax money being used here...my tax money is being used for quite different diversions.

Tussy said...

I admit that it is beautiful, and no doubt about other foreigners will be impressed just the same. Only question to Aussie that is this worth their tax?

lewi14@gmail.com said...

Wow, it's very impressive. It's great in spite of waste of tax money.

Dave-CostaRicaDailyPhoto.com said...

From a fiscal standpoint, I suspect that the Sydney Opera House is a big money maker for Sydney, as it is such a tourist magnet. If they use the fees from admission to pay for the lighting, perhaps that would make Aussies feel better about the use of their tax money for this purpose.

From an artistic standpoint, it is hard to think that there is a need to "improve" the appearance of the Sydney Opera House with colored lights. Yes, it is dramatic and beautiful. Perhaps Aussies have gotten so used to the image that they feel a need to add a splash of color. I would imagine that tourists would be in awe of the night view without the color.

I was away in Italy for several weeks and am just catching up with my favorite Daily Photo blogs, and I missed a lot on your site. Your photos during the last few weeks have been outstanding. Thank you for such excellence.

Luis Gomez said...

I love your pictures of the Opera House. Unfortunately, I live in a city (Washington, DC) where it is actually difficult to "see" my tax money being used in a way that I can actually "see." I do appreciate the fact that Sydney gives a lot to its citizen when it comes to outdoors festivals or street art. I think sometimes we forget about how privileged we are to live in places such as Sydney or Washington with its few city events. I wish we we had more events like this one in Washington.

TheChieftess said...

In person, this event may have been a bomb, but the photos are wonderful!!! Actually, the top photo caught my eye and my first response was that that was the most interesting photo of the opera house I've seen...I love the addition of the color, though I'm not sure I'd like the constant changing either...but the colored lights do add a new dimension...

Mary Ann said...

Count me with those who love the pictures. At least that's some good that came of it . . .

Ann said...

Couldn't agree more. I was wondering whether it was because it was all brand new and exiciting last year and I was just jaded and not feeling well. I think its all a bit try too hard and some of it is just tacky.

Great photos, though.

Bruce Caspersonn said...

At least it's different and looks good in your photos.

Marka said...

But governments are good at spending tax money! ;)

Jayne said...

If it were just the still images like your photos show (with very slow changes) it would be ok but if you're having trouble watching it then there's something very wrong.
Your blog, whinge away to your heart's content!

Bill said...

Sonya's old workshop looks great all lit up. We're off tomorrow morning for 11 days.

Jim said...

Your shots are great and I totally agree with you opinions. While there were certain displays that were colourful and bright, there did seem to be something missing this year. Quite right about the displays being more 'complex' but not necessarily 'better'. I'm satisfied with the colourful ones over the way too clever displays.

Joan Elizabeth said...

I notice you chose the show the Opera House coloured pastel and quite plain ... which is actually quite fetching ... but I am for the most part over lights on city buildings. I haven't chosen to make my way to the city as night time to see the display ... too chilly when I get home.

Matty said...

The opera house is so unique in it's design that it is immediately recognized. It doesn't really need colored lights to enhance it. That being said however, I must admit that I like the look the colors give it at night.

Peter said...

Great photos anyway ... in the last days of Rome it was all bread and circuses.

diane b said...

Great shots and interesting bitch. I would like to see the festival but it does look a bit overdone or tacky sometimes from the photos i have seen.

Julie said...

'bread and circuses" ... so our KK does not do it for you, Peter? No substitute for even a mediumly thought-through policy is itZ?

'tacky' is a word I am reading a fair bit at the moment. Come March 2011 and the 'other side' gets to run the show, I suspect my bitches will be similar but different. However, Grace (she with the long family name) seems to have her head screwed on in an acceptable manner.

Jilly said...

What is interesting is that nothing detracts from the glory of that fabulous architecture. It's iconic and wondrous and well...it's Sydney.

kostas said...

I love this opera house,great architectural design!