Landmark Circular Quay dining precinct, Gateway Sydney, will be transformed into an immersive Butterfly experience from 26 May until 17 June during the 2023 Vivid Sydney festival. Partnering with renowned design studio, Skunk Control, Gateway Sydney will deliver a unique experience for families and visitors to Circular Quay.
Featuring over 600 butterflies scattered throughout the displays and an interactive colour-transforming activation, ‘The Kaleidoscope’, visitors will be able to look through a rotating portal to uncover a vibrant colourful butterfly scene, utilising the science of colour and light.
The use of optical filters throughout the Kaleidoscope alters the natural light to undergo a colour metamorphosis in real-time. By positioning themselves between the portal and the ecosystem of butterflies, visitors will be filled with light amongst the colour change.
Flutter at Gateway will also feature butterflies handcrafted by students from various Sydney primary schools, created during the Gateway Sydney and Skunk Control schools outreach program.
The ‘Vivid Sydney, Naturally’ artistic direction for 2023 aligns with Skunk Control’s passion for science, technology and education. Nick Athanasiou, Creative Director of Skunk Control said, “Nature is remarkable. Over the millennia it has crafted wonders that take our breath away, confound us and ultimately inspire us. One example of this is the highly vivid coloured wings of butterflies. It is the internal fine structure within their wings that provides a physical obstacle course for light to overcome in its pathway. Light’s passage through these deep structures alters its path and selects certain colours to become visible, providing the astonishingly vibrant and vivid colours that butterflies are known for. This offers a very approachable example demonstrating the physics of light, the beauty of nature and the link between art and science.”
Gateway Sydney’s Senior Centre Manager, Chris Seller said, “We are thrilled to be partnering with the Skunk Control team to deliver Flutter at Gateway, as it is such a natural alignment to this year’s Vivid Sydney artistic direction. This is one of the busiest periods for Circular Quay and we wanted to offer something truly unique to our visitors. We hope guests of all ages will enjoy the immersive experience on offer at Gateway Sydney and come in to dine with us among the butterflies this Vivid Festival.”
In addition to experiencing the butterflies in the centre, customers can take a little piece of Flutter home with them, with limited-edition Flutter Butterfly Wands. Each Flutter Butterfly Wand is unique, individually hand-made by the Skunk Control artists. The wands have been made from recycled materials such as discontinued surplus straws from local cafes and bamboo skewers for the wands, acrylic off-cuts to make the bodies and recycled PET film for the butterfly wings. The PET was then laminated with optical filters. These optical filters act similar to butterfly wings, where their internal structure alters the passage of light and thus allows for vivid colours to be created and cast. Flutter Butterfly Wands are free for customers who spend $30.00 or more at Gateway Sydney during the Vivid Festival, Wednesday – Sunday, only while stocks last, terms and conditions apply.
Day ready, night ready and fun ready, Gateway Sydney is located on the doorstep of some of Sydney’s major attractions where it welcomes office workers, Sydneysiders and tourists all year round. A landmark dining destination where people and the daily rhythm of the city come together, in the heart of Circular Quay. Food glorious food is at the forefront of the Gateway offer, a boutique showcase of Sydney’s best foodie fare in a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere. Three impressive glass-fronted levels, spanning nearly all tastes, all continents and all group sizes. Cult Sydney favourites rub shoulders with heritage-listed pubs and flagship global concepts, along with one of Sydney’s few rooftop bars, boasting a laid-back city vibe and equally impressive vistas. Welcome to the Gateway Sydney experience.
Gateway Sydney, 1 Macquarie Place, Sydney NSW 2000.