Advent Calendar
previous Project
In a whirlwind of pre-Christmas frenzy, Advent Calendar offers an imaginative and magical pause in the mayhem to ask, "what is the value of family, friendship and community?"
Advent Calendar set a new benchmark for innovation and excellence in artistic and community engagement to inspire the spirit of Christmas and the genuine act of giving. It was a significant and high profile event that highlighted the city as a place of community, creativity, hope and inspiration.
Conceived and directed by Creative Producer and Director Elena Vereker for Christmas celebrations over three seasons, the 20-by-22 metre façade of the Federation Square Melbourne building was transformed into a giant advent calendar.
Each evening at 9pm throughout December, a window was opened with a visually stunning event fusing multimedia, animation and large-scale aerial performance. Tens of thousands of public attendees experienced the free nightly performance, witnessing the ‘opening’ of the Advent Calendar windows each night to reveal an iconic Christmas image with a live aerialist nimbly frolicking over its animated surface.
Advent Calendar was a highly visual and physical experience, its inclusive nature connecting audiences across culture, age and language. Highly successful, it won three Green Room Awards in 2008: Best Direction, Best Production and Best Design.
Performance History
- 2008
- 2007
- 2006
Federation Square
Australia
Federation Square
Australia
Federation Square
Australia
Media
“I loved Advent Calendar. Ten years on and I still think it’s one of the best shows I’ve ever seen”
“Advent Calendar’s contribution to the festive season was a refreshing change from the ubiquitous reindeers, tinsel and pine trees (I wondered what the combined greenhouse effect is cutting down all those trees). Advent Calendar highlighted the East Shard in a spectacular and original way, literally bringing it to life with aerial performances by some of Melbourne’s talented rope artists. As the momentum built towards December 24, the gathering crowds sometimes made it quite a challenge to get out of the building! Some of us have to work here too, you know!”
“I saw Advent Calendar (...) - it was fabulous. I just loved it and was mesmerised by the music and movement against the screen. Up there with the best outdoor arts I've ever seen!!!”
Supporters
