Lighting the way to 2012

Australia’s young creatives are encouraged to help light up one of Sydney’s architectural icons this New Years Eve. You Only Live Once (YOLO), a social website, invited young Aussies to enter original lighting designs in December to decorate the Sydney Opera House’s balcony for the 11.12 New Year’s party. The winning entrants would receive two free tickets to the night’s event and gain creative exposure.
Co-founder of YOLO, Dan Single said: “It’s an unbelievable chance to get your name out there.”
“Everyone’s eyes are on Sydney for the first major New Years Eve party in the world and the 11.12 party is set to be the hottest ticket in town.”
Artists had an allocated space of two metres by 20 metres and could integrate a message, a word or anything abstract or “out there”.
“As long as it’s eye catching, fits with the party theme and looks great we’ll be happy,” Mr Single said.
“You don’t have to be a lighting professional or designer, you just need to have an epic idea using the materials we are supplying and we’ll put it up. We want everyone to be inspired and get creative.”
French lighting, display and exhibition designers, Superbien, judged the competition on December 20.
The 11.12 NYE party will have catered food, cocktails and world class music from the Grammy award winning godfather of House, Frankie Knuckles, as well as vocalist Jamie Principle headlining the night.
The party also boasts the ultimate view of the fireworks, designed this year by Marc Newson.
“It’s going to be the best house party at the best house on the planet,” Mr Single said. “It really will be the coolest place to bring in the New Year.
“We have been given an amazing space to throw this party, have done the drinks, done the music, done the decor and all that is left is the art piece to light up the Top Shelf – a special balcony we are creating for the best vantage point for the fireworks in town.”

By Georgia Fullerton