The Instagram video shows a building-sized projection of a woman clad in a cut-out leotard, gyrating and performing a stylised dance routine across the landmark sandstone architecture. <\/p>\n
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\u201cMultiple women and men sexualised half naked on this building, while there\u2019s family\u2019s [sic] and children around \u2026 Yuck,\u201d Lenny Sinclair posted online. <\/p>\n
While another wrote, \u201cThe @vividsydney light festival is marketed as a family-friendly event. Some 2.5 million people \u2014 including kids \u2014 are expected to attend the NSW Government-run event between May 22 and June 13. Who thought it was a good idea to expose them to this?\u201d<\/p>\n
After only a few nights of projections, frustrated parents are arguing that when high-concept, avant-garde gallery art is taken out of a closed museum and mapped onto massive public infrastructure, the context is entirely lost on young families.<\/p>\n
The social media post has quickly ignited a fierce debate online and among festival-goers, highlighting a growing friction point for Vivid Sydney as it evolves from a simple family light walk into a multidisciplinary contemporary arts festival.<\/p>\n
While some parents on the crowded Circular Quay boardwalk agreed the projection felt misplaced for an early-evening crowd, others defended the installation.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, I was there with my family and came across this disgusting display of repulsive garbage. So in your face. So unnecessary and distasteful,\u201d one mother responded on Instagram. \u201cDefinitely a Detraction at what was otherwise a very cool event. One has to wonder what the motive is to present this particular piece\u201d.<\/p>\n
Some were even driven to boycott the event altogether. \u201cWhat is this??? Disgusting!!! I definitely won\u2019t be attending Vivid now,\u201d one user commented. <\/p>\n
\u201cI did see this, and I actually stopped \u2026 \u2018Gabe, look at that!! This is so bad, kids are all around, this is a family event.\u2019 It was disgusting in real life!\u201d another onlooker wrote.<\/p>\n
Another parent, who did not attend, added: \u201cYou\u2019re not a prude. It IS sexualised content, and it\u2019s being shoved in our kids\u2019 faces. We know this world is morally corrupt, but please, can we just take our kids to see some nice lights?\u201d<\/p>\n
However, not everyone was outraged by the performance art.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis crosses lines while kids look this stuff up so easily, as well… like I get it, kids shouldn\u2019t be seeing this, but it\u2019s not that bad, it\u2019s just [a] girl dancing, plus kids walk past Mardi Gras all the time,\u201d one parent countered.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy the fuss? I see someone dancing energetically. Stop projecting. Haha, you\u2019ve become that person you used to laugh at. Oh, the children!!! Good grief,\u201d another added.<\/p>\n
The controversial display is part of Vaiola, a major commission by acclaimed Samoan-Australian contemporary artist Angela Tiatia, created in collaboration with the experiential studio Spinifex Group.<\/p>\n
According to the festival\u2019s official program, Vaiola, named after a river near the artist\u2019s home in Samoa, meaning \u201cwater of life\u201d, is a deeply personal exploration of \u201cmigration, longing, memory, and the female form\u201d.<\/p>\n
Tiatia\u2019s work frequently uses performance art and cinematic language to challenge historical representations of Pacific women and body autonomy. <\/p>\n
\u201cFor me, Vaiola is about the emotional currents and tensions between longing and belonging,\u201d Angela Tiatia said of the work.<\/p>\n
\u201cDuring Vivid Sydney, when the city comes to life and invites locals and visitors alike into shared celebration, the work can unfold at a massive scale while still holding an intimate space for connection and reflection.\u201d <\/p>\n
Vivid Sydney and Destination NSW have heavily championed their partnership with the MCA as a cornerstone of the festival\u2019s artistic credibility. However, organisers may face growing pressure to answer the question of whether building-sized, \u201cprovocative\u201d performance art belongs in primary family viewing zones.<\/p>\n
When asked to comment on the backlash, a spokesperson for Vivid Sydney told news.com.au that they acknowledge the community feedback but maintain that interpretations of contemporary art are subjective.<\/p>\n
\u201cVivid Sydney is aware of community feedback regarding a visual element contained within the Vaiola projection at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA),\u201d the spokesperson said. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe work, by Samoan-Australian artist Angela Tiatia, at its core, explores themes of migration, memory, longing, belonging and beauty through the artist\u2019s cinematic visual language. As with all contemporary art, interpretations may vary.\u201d<\/p>\n
The spokesperson defended the festival\u2019s overarching curation, noting that the piece is just one small part of a much broader public experience.<\/p>\n
\u201cVivid Sydney is a family-friendly festival that welcomes audiences of all ages and backgrounds, with a program carefully curated to showcase creativity, innovation and artistic expression. Vaiola forms part of the 6.5km Vivid Light Walk, which features more than 40 installations.<\/p>\n
\u201cVivid Sydney is focused on delivering a world-leading festival experience in a safe, inclusive and welcoming environment for all audiences, and we acknowledge the feedback received.\u201d<\/p>\n
News.com.au has requested comment from Vivid, City of Sydney and the artist. <\/p>\n
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