The aim is to provoke "visual ecstasy" and "heightened calm," says music producer Brian Eno of his audiovisual artwork 77 Million Paintings, which is illuminating the Sydney Opera House’s sails as part of a sound and light festival in the city.
The inaugural Luminous festival, curated by Eno and running through June 14, was launched with the first display of 77 Million Paintings, which is being shown each night. The work, which has already been seen in the U.S. and Europe, uses "self-generating software" to manipulate 300 of Eno's drawings in a constantly evolving display of color, shape, and form. Sydney Opera House Chief Executive Richard Evans said, "We're not coloring in the opera house. We're actually kind of taking the art of the opera house and raising it to a different level."