Samsung unveils wonderland of light and sound for Vivid Sydney

The ‘Samsung Electric Playground’ invites festival attendees to unleash their inner child.

Samsung Electronics Australia has today announced its return to Vivid Sydney for the second year in a row with a technology-enabled, playground featuring not one, but two large-scale activations including the Samsung Electric Playground and Samsung Galaxy Studio in its most ambitious Vivid Sydney spectacle yet.

The two exhibitions will transform over 3,000 square metres of Circular Quay’s First Fleet Park and the adjacent Foundation Hall as never before and includes a landmark partnership with Instagram to showcase outstanding Vivid Sydney content being shared on the platform and provide tips on how to capture the magic of the festival when the lights illuminate Sydney on Friday, 24 May.

Samsung’s Vice President of IT and Mobile Garry McGregor promises Samsung’s activation will set a new standard for ambition, engagement and interaction: “The power of technology to open up new worlds through innovation is a constant source of inspiration for us. In returning for a second year to Vivid Sydney, we’ve challenged ourselves and harnessed the power of mobile technology to create not just a memorable cultural experience, but uniquely sharable and unlike anything festival goers will have ever seen before.”

Minister for Tourism Stuart Ayres said: “Vivid Sydney is a global event that attracts 2.25 million visitors and significant media and social media attention from around the world. As the largest festival of light, music and ideas in the Southern Hemisphere, Vivid Sydney continues to position the Harbour City as the hub of creative industries of Asia and the Pacific.”

The first space, the Samsung Electric Playground invites guests into a celebration of light, sound and imagination powered by advanced mobile technology. With a multitude of experiences spanning an area over four basketball courts in size, festival goers can free their inner child and explore Galaxy S10-inspired attractions. These include a field of over 320 dynamic light poles, 23 of which will they can control directly; a 6.5-metre illuminated Infinity Slide; and an elevated view of picturesque Sydney Harbour from the Sky Walk platform amongst other must-see attractions.

The Samsung Galaxy Studio arrives from a global tour including London, Barcelona and Dubai just in time for the festival and delivers its own array of truly interactive moments. The immersive space boasts tailored light experiences that are inspired by guests own unique irises and heartbeats generating their very own installations. The Samsung Galaxy Studio also features a one-of-a-kind interactive art piece by up-and-coming Australian artist George Rose.

In addition, and for the first time globally, the Samsung Galaxy Studio has partnered with Instagram to make the space the most Instagram-able experience at Vivid Sydney. Instagram’s specialist trainers will be on hand at select times throughout the festival to teach guests how to expertly capture and share their Vivid Sydney content.

Destination NSW CEO and Vivid Sydney Executive Producer Sandra Chipchase said: “Vivid Sydney is an event that celebrates technology and innovation, so it is fitting to have Samsung returning as partner of the festival this year. The Samsung Electric Playground and Samsung Galaxy Studio will showcase cutting-edge technology in an incredibly engaging way, and we know that visitors to Vivid Sydney will be surprised and delighted by the installation in First Fleet Park and Foundation Hall.”

In Detail

The Samsung Electric Playground

This mesmerising wonderland will feature at least 40 Galaxy S10 devices in fixed locations throughout, while other S10s will be carried by assistants who will be on hand to capture guests’ experiences.

Samsung Electric Playground features include:

·  Infinity Slide

• An LED-illuminated slide standing 6.5 metres tall
• Visitors’ exit moments will be captured on a Galaxy S10 for them to share

· Sky Walk

•  Climb the stairs to the elevated level of the Sky Walk to take in the impressive views of Sydney Harbour and the Electric Playground. With six vantage points you’ll be able capture that special selfie moment against a spectacular backdrop.

·  Hopscotch

• An illuminated, interactive LED dancefloor
• When stepped on, tiles react with playful colours and effects

Guests can capture their moves at strategically placed Galaxy S10 photo stands surrounding the dancefloor

·  Pillars of Light

•  A field of light poles celebrating the Galaxy S10’s PowerShare functionality
•  With charge points mounted on poles throughout, visitors can hold their compatible smartphones to the poles to share their power and charge their phones or alternatively simply touch the Galaxy S10s to enable the light to pulse and change colour

·  Illuminated Hula-Hoops

• Guests can create patterns of colour and light using illuminated hula-hoops

·  Show Mode

• Every 30 minutes the Electric Playground will burst into life
• Each show is a 45-second celebration of colour and light, all programmed by world-renowned lighting designer Steve Nield, who has worked in the field for over 35 years

Samsung Galaxy Studio and Instagram

A partnership between Samsung and Instagram has been designed to help guests capture the ultimate sharable moment.

Samsung Galaxy Studio features include:

·  Ocular Odyssey

• Takes inspiration from the Galaxy S10’s TrueEye feature
• Guides visitors on an exploration their own ‘youniverse’ by unravelling the hidden cosmos in their eyes
• Guests can capture every frame of this kaleidoscopic experience as it unfolds using the S10’s Live Focus feature

·  Field of Hearts

• Channels the S10’s biometrics functions to capture your heartbeat
• Invites guests to share their pulse with a friend
• The installation combines the rhythms of both visitors to create a symphony of infinite sound and light for the perfect ultra-wide photo moment

·  Artist in Residence, George Rose

• George will showcase the Galaxy S10’s best features while creating an unforgettable Instagram moment for guests
• Visitors can meet George at appearances on Saturday, 25 May and Saturday, 1 June

·  In Collaboration with Instagram

• Two Instagram workshops will be hosted each week, training guests in how to make the most of the Instagram platform and the new Instagram mode on the GalaxyS10 as they experience Vivid Sydney
• More details will be announced closer to Vivid Sydney 2019

The Samsung Electric Playground and Samsung Galaxy Studio will be open to the public from Friday, 24 May until Saturday, 15 June. For more information, head to www.samsung.com/au/explore/event/galaxy-studio/.