Sky Castle

Overview

Brisbanites have spent plenty of time in their own castles over the past 18 months. Now, with the city currently out of lockdown, it's time to mosey through a giant inflatable version instead. From Friday, September 3–Saturday, September 25, the city will welcome a luminous installation comprised of a cluster of colourful arches — as created by multidisciplinary studio ENESS.

Called Sky Castle and part of this year's Brisbane Festival program, the towering pop-up will span Northshore Hamilton until Tuesday, September 14, filling it with colour. Then, from Wednesday, September 15, it'll be on the move. It isn't just shifting locations, however, but it'll float along the river nightly as part of a watery art experience called Brisbane's Art Boat.

The arches are designed to reflect a rainbow — and to bring a spot of brightness to the city after its tough experiences during the pandemic, just like rainbows do after storms. Yes, that's what everyone could use right about now. And, they're interactive, too, changing their hues as you move through them.

As well as vivd tones, plenty light and sky-high arches, Sky Castle also includes a xylophone soundscape, which changes while you're wandering as well.

And, it's one of two ENESS installations that form part of the Bris Fest lineup. So, when it isn't at Northshore Hamilton, its sibling event Airship Orchestra will be — and vice versa. The same applies to its berth on Brisbane's Art Boat as well.

Images: Zhu Rui.