Uploaded June 2023 | Updated September 2026, 1 day ago
As part of Vivid Sydney, experience the Lighting of the Sails: Life Enlivened (2023) by John Olsen and Curiious, with accompanying soundtrack composition by William Barton and Edwin Montgomery.
This piece proudly celebrates Olsen’s extraordinary six-decade career and the propulsive power of his painterly brush to envision the natural world anew, as his artworks are animated and projected on the Sydney Opera House sails as part of Vivid Sydney from 26 May - 17 June 2023.
Olsen’s vibrant paintings of life and energy within the natural world distil the essence of his esteemed career, spanning over sixty years. The animated artwork Lighting of the Sails: Life Enlivened (2023) spotlights Olsen’s enduring interest and fascination with Australian nature and landscape. Prior to his passing, Olsen worked closely with Destination NSW, the Sydney Opera House, curator Dr. Deborah Hart and Curiious on the concept for Life Enlivened (2023).
“In your life you’ve got to have luck. To have this opportunity, I appreciate it very much. I can’t wait for overseas people and all Australians to see Vivid. God, I’m a lucky dog.”- John Olsen Vale John Olsen AO OBE 1928 – 2023
#VividSydney #VividLIVE
MEET THE TEAM
—
Curiious Project Team
CEO
Michelle Schuberg
Director of Operations
Karen Arkell
Executive Creative Director
Fabio Nardo
Senior Producer
Jo Yates
Artistic Curator
Dr. Deborah Hart
Creative Director
Christian J Heinrich
Lead Artist
Christian J Heinrich
CG | Unreal Engine Artist
Brad Allen
Animator
Jelena Sinik
Animator
Jonathan Nix
Animator
Nicolette Axiak
Animator
Amy Bell
Chief Technology Office
Phil Sullivan
Touchdesigner Dev
Boris Bagattini
Soundtrack Composition
Edwin Montgomery
Soundtrack Composition
William Barton
Trumpet
Simon Ferenci
Drums
Glenn Wilson
with special thanks to
Tim Olsen
Kylie Norton
__
SUBSCRIBE to Sydney Opera House: https://soh.online/Subscribe
The new streaming service from the Sydney Opera House has arrived.
Get access to a selection of world-class performing and digital arts. Sign up for free stream.sydneyoperahouse.com
Sydney Opera House is an Australian icon and one of the busiest performing arts centres in the world. On this channel you will find performances, behind the scenes content and stories from beneath the sails. With over 40 shows a week at the Sydney Opera House there's something for everyone.
We’re not-for-profit and raise over 90% of costs from non-government sources.
Learn more at sydneyoperahouse.com/give
Find us on Facebook: facebook.com/sydneyoperahouse
Twitter: twitter.com/sydoperahouse
and Instagram: instagram.com/sydneyoperahouse
What's On at Sydney Opera House:
bit.ly/SOHWhatsOn
As part of Vivid Sydney, experience the Lighting of the Sails: Life Enlivened (2023) by John Olsen and Curiious, with accompanying soundtrack composition by William Barton and Edwin Montgomery.
This piece proudly celebrates Olsen’s extraordinary six-decade career and the propulsive power of his painterly brush to envision the natural world anew, as his artworks are animated and projected on the Sydney Opera House sails as part of Vivid Sydney from 26 May - 17 June 2023.
Olsen’s vibrant paintings of life and energy within the natural world distil the essence of his esteemed career, spanning over sixty years. The animated artwork Lighting of the Sails: Life Enlivened (2023) spotlights Olsen’s enduring interest and fascination with Australian nature and landscape. Prior to his passing, Olsen worked closely with Destination NSW, the Sydney Opera House, curator Dr. Deborah Hart and Curiious on the concept for Life Enlivened (2023).
“In your life you’ve got to have luck. To have this opportunity, I appreciate it very much. I can’t wait for overseas people and all Australians to see Vivid. God, I’m a lucky dog.”- John Olsen Vale John Olsen AO OBE 1928 – 2023
#VividSydney #VividLIVE
MEET THE TEAM
—
Curiious Project Team
CEO
Michelle Schuberg
Director of Operations
Karen Arkell
Executive Creative Director
Fabio Nardo
Senior Producer
Jo Yates
Artistic Curator
Dr. Deborah Hart
Creative Director
Christian J Heinrich
Lead Artist
Christian J Heinrich
CG | Unreal Engine Artist
Brad Allen
Animator
Jelena Sinik
Animator
Jonathan Nix
Animator
Nicolette Axiak
Animator
Amy Bell
Chief Technology Office
Phil Sullivan
Touchdesigner Dev
Boris Bagattini
Soundtrack Composition
Edwin Montgomery
Soundtrack Composition
William Barton
Trumpet
Simon Ferenci
Drums
Glenn Wilson
with special thanks to
Tim Olsen
Kylie Norton
__
SUBSCRIBE to Sydney Opera House: https://soh.online/Subscribe
The new streaming service from the Sydney Opera House has arrived.
Get access to a selection of world-class performing and digital arts. Sign up for free stream.sydneyoperahouse.com
Sydney Opera House is an Australian icon and one of the busiest performing arts centres in the world. On this channel you will find performances, behind the scenes content and stories from beneath the sails. With over 40 shows a week at the Sydney Opera House there's something for everyone.
We’re not-for-profit and raise over 90% of costs from non-government sources.
Learn more at sydneyoperahouse.com/give
Find us on Facebook: facebook.com/sydneyoperahouse
Twitter: twitter.com/sydoperahouse
and Instagram: instagram.com/sydneyoperahouse
What's On at Sydney Opera House:
bit.ly/SOHWhatsOn
