HOTA, Home of the Arts will light up with WONDER this spring, during its new program of contemporary art and sound from September 16 to 25.
WONDER invites Gold Coast locals and visitors to celebrate the changing of the seasons with spectacular art in the outdoors this springtime on the Gold Coast.
“We’re thrilled to invite everyone to come and experience the wonder of the world premiere of Alcazar, by the incredible artists at Atelier Sisu, day or night.”
Atelier Sisu are known around the globe for their incredible outdoor ‘art-chitecture’ (the intersection between art and architecture) having presented works at i Light Singapore Festival, Vilinuis Light Festival, Enlighten Canberra, and most recently their work ‘Ephemeral Oceanic’; a water-based bubble-scape at Walsh Bay, delighting audiences during Vivid Sydney.
Standing at 7 metres tall and 13 metres wide, Alcazar, (which is the Spanish word for palace or fortress), celebrates the spectacle of ‘art-chitecture’ during HOTA’s spring program.
During daylight hours, the sun will illuminate through colourful outer facades, filtering vibrant colours onto the ground and surrounds and when night falls, internal lights will luminesce Alcazar, casting dynamic and flowing colour throughout.
The work will play backdrop to several events across the 10 days of WONDER at HOTA.
On Saturday 17 September, be prepared to ‘get lucky’ and experience the music of Daft Punk, backed by a party orchestra in The Daft Punk Experience with Alternative Symphony on the Outdoor Stage.
Audiences can expect a high energy production, zesty live beats and an ornate robot helmet or two, with a night of hits from legendary French electronica duo Daft Punk. Alternative Symphony will take the songs to an epic new level with trumpets, horns, strings, DJs, drums, live vocalists, MCs and more.
On Sunday 18 September, the HOTA parklands will come to life with the weekly HOTA Farmers Markets, and a 7am session of Outdoor Yoga and Live Music in front of the Alcazar artwork.
In the afternoon, free Sunset Artist Talks coinciding with the 20th Anniversary of the Josephine Ulrick and Win Schubert Photography Award will be presented featuring Award alumni artists Abdul Abdulla and Darren Sylvester, discussing their work in the HOTA Collection and the contemporary Australian stories they depict.
HOTA’s beloved free monthly storytelling series for kids, Rainbow Story Hour, will also take place in the balmy outdoors, featuring special guest Helen Wheels, a drag queen on a mission to read and entertain little readers.
On Thursday 22 September, Candlelight Concert: A Tribute to Queen will be presented by Fever Up at 6pm and 8pm. The concert series, which historically has taken part in secret and at iconic locations around the world, has become popular worldwide with over 11,000 events and over 2.8 million attendees to date.
Fridays on the Big Lawn with Inside Gold Coast also returns to this year’s WONDER program. On Friday 16 September, six artists will compete in a live action Art Battle, with live music and special MC Thom Thum, while on Friday 23 September, audiences will be treated to the sounds of Flamenco House (complete with a Flamenco Dancer or two!) by Cameron De La Vaga.
Rounding out the program on Saturday 24 September is the Lux de la Luna Dinner,
where art, performance and culinary theatrics collide for an epic one-night-only outdoor dining experience.
Enjoy a 5 course, fire-cooked feast enveloped in the hues of Alazar with live entertainment – crafted by HOTA Executive Chef, Dayan Hartill-Law. Vibrant flavours will be complemented by exclusive hand selected fine wines and spirits from St Hugo, Orlando and Four Pillars Distillery.
For those wishing to extend their evening into the moonlit hours, book the enhanced Lux de la Luna dinner experience, which includes an after party at The Exhibitionist Bar, complete with late-night snacks, cocktails and a DJ.
HOTA’s school holiday program Kids Take Over will also return as part of WONDER this year, taking place from September 19 to 25.
A range of engaging workshops for kids from creating Augmented Reality, bringing business ideas to life in HOTA’s Young Entrepreneur’s Hub, or mixing beats in DJ Skool.
On 22, 23, and 24 September, kids can take part in a HOTA Quest– armed with a map and clues, travelling around the HOTA precinct and Gallery to find treasures and enjoy hands-on making activities.
On 23 to 24 September, keep an eye out for dinosaurs roaming across HOTA, when Erth’s Prehistoric World uses puppetry and theatre-magic to bring ancient creatures from land and sea together in one dynamic show.
HOTA’s Kids Take Over and WONDER programs will culminate in a free family fun day on Sunday 25 September – Family Fiesta. The day begins with Goat Yoga at the Outdoor Stage, HOTA’s Farmers Markets, Mini Markets run by kids, Moroccan tile painting, craft, anime, and stop-motion animation workshops, circus performances, live music, and a scooter tour of the HOTA parklands.
“WONDER is the perfect excuse to gather your family and friends to enjoy HOTA and our glorious Gold Coast spring. A time for revelry in one of the best seasons of the year, WONDER has absolutely something for everyone,” said Gehrke.
For more information on WONDER at HOTA, visit: www.hota.com.au/wonder
Media contact: amy@m10.com.au