Heavy rain was teeming over the forecourt of Customs House at 6pm when the crowd started to fill out the Quay Bar for the launching party of Lumenocity last Friday.

An installation documenting and inviting contemplation on the cost of Sydney’s night time jewels, Lumenocity is an abstraction of the city’s CBD, illuminated by the glow of energy-efficient fluorescents.

The launch takes part of motioning the inauguration of the Smart Light Sydney festival which aims to promote smarter, greener forms of energy – with an objective to encourage people to reduce power usage.

While the rain was often torrential at times, this did not seem to put off the spirit of people enjoying the installation. In some ways it added to it, bringing out the best of Lumenocity.

The pools of water among the lanterns seemed to double the size, reflecting the colours on the surface of the forecourt of Customs House.

Accompanying visitors in the surround of the colorful glow, the drizziling sound of the rain became an addition to the gentle hum of the installation. It is indeed a salient reminder of the price of the city’s current beauty.

Andrew Daly – one of the three artists of this installation – said: “It was a good evening, and it got people out and about and engaging with the city”.

Lumenocity will be exhibited at Customs House until the 14 June as part of the Smart Light Sydney Light Walk. The University of Sydney will also be exhibiting the installation later in the year.

smartlightsydney.com

Words by Nikita Notowidigdo