The World's Largest Real-time Interactive Light Sculpture

Vivid Sydney is underway at the moment, lighting up the city's landmarks and cultural centers with swathes of color. As part of the festival Sydney Harbour Bridge has been turned into an interactive light sculpture. Two years in the making Colour The Bridge was created by production company 32 Hundred Lighting in partnership with Intel, turning the arching steel into a huge sculpture that can be seen from miles away. It utilizes the entire Western facade of the bridge, covering it with 2,000 LEDs and over half a mile of fiber optics.

The light display is controlled by the public who can choose from a palette of colors using a large touchscreen and a simple interface. Anyone is free to walk up and create their own unique "painting" and see it come to life on the bridge's iconic arches.

"Interactivity is a big thing because you can take a photo of it, but [with interactivity] you can own it." says production manager Martin Bevz. "You can have your own look and it's up there for 30 seconds or two minutes and you can say, that's my thing and I had a go at it."

Image courtesy of 32 Hundred Lighting

Image courtesy of 32 Hundred Lighting

Being a bridge, another component of the piece is the reflective qualities of the water which ebb and fade as the light changes, further augmenting the experience and heightening the sense of awe as people see their creation come to life.

"Art for me should invoke an emotion," says 32 Hundred Lighting's creative director Iain Reed, continuing "Hopefully the emotion that will be transmitted for this installation is one of joy and happiness and playfulness. I hope they see the bridge in a new light."

Image courtesy of 32 Hundred Lighting

Image courtesy of 32 Hundred Lighting

Image courtesy of 32 Hundred Lighting

The touchscreen interface. Photo courtesy of Leah Consunji

Installing the lights. Image courtesy of Marea Reed

Installing the lights. Image courtesy of Marea Reed

Installing the lights. Image courtesy of Marea Reed

@stewart23rd