When the moon rises above the horizon from 26 May to 6 June, the city of Melbourne will come alive after dark with a new festival called Rising, involving 750 Victorian artists. Here are our top picks.
A Miracle Constantly Repeated
Opens 26 May
The ballroom on the top floor of Flinders Street Station has been idle for 40 years but is now being re-opened, along with its surrounding hidden rooms, to accommodate hyper-real silicone sculptures, huge dioramas and a foliage canopy in a world premiere by award-winning Melbourne artist, Patricia Piccinini.
Wandering Stars
26 May to 6 June
Check out an undulating 200-metre-long glowing eel skeleton and hundreds of illuminated floating lanterns on the Yarra River at Birrarung Marr, while grazing on fire-roasted snacks. The eel installation depicts the creature’s journey from our inland waterways all the way to the deep, dark depths of the Coral Sea.
The Rivers Sing
26 to 31 May
The ancient meeting place of Birrarung Marr comes alive to the sound of singing with this epic sonic artwork, composed by the great Deborah Cheetham AO, with artists Thomas Supple and Byron J. Scullin. In the weeks preceding the Rising festival, this event will wind its way along the Birrarung (Yarra) and Maribyrnong rivers.
The Wilds
27 May to 6 June
Sidney Myer Music Bowl
An ice-skating rink, DJ beats, a bamboo forest, video art, tunnels through mirrored fields and large fires all feature in this family-friendly outdoor event. Rug up and get amongst it!
More Information
Please note that many events require tickets.
For more information, visit the Rising website.