Bangarra Dance Theatre Set for Vivid Sydney, 5/23-6/9

In 2014 Bangarra Dance Theatre celebrates its 25th anniversary. To mark this significant milestone the company will participate for the first time in Vivid Sydney, presenting a free light installation The spirit of Patyegarang, as part of the Vivid Light program, for the duration of the festival.

Vivid Sydney is the Southern Hemisphere's largest festival of light, music and ideas, which for 18 days, from 23 May to 9 June 2014, transforms the Harbour City with its colourful creative canvas. The spirit of Patyegarang is the first Indigenous contribution to the Vivid Light Walk, and brings to life a fascinating story from our country's past.

Bangarra will awaken the spirit of Patyegarang, a young Eora woman, on the land she lived on over 200 years ago. At the time of the settlements, Patyegarang befriended First Fleet astronomer, Lieutenant William Dawes, as he was observing the skies from the promontory that now bears his name.

Projected onto the sandstone blocks of the Sydney Harbour Bridge southern pylon, The spirit of Patyegarang is a 3-minute large-scale video commemorating one of the earliest collaborations between the original custodians of the land and the new settlers, inspiring residents and visitors with the sensations and emotions of first contact.

The light installation will be a powerful prelude to Bangarra Dance Theatre's upcoming production of Patyegarang which will have its world premiere at the Sydney Opera House from June 13 to July 5 2014.