Martin Place

Martin Place has traditionally been considered the ‘centre’ of the city of Sydney, so it’s more than suitable that it should also be the ‘centre’ of Vivid Sydney. See cutting-edge projections, extraordinary installations and a showcase of the Creative Industries Food inspirations. Deep Forest at Martin Place is where an oasis has been created by the fusion of artists and chefs for you to enjoy!

The popular UrbanTree installation returns this year with UrbanTree 2.0 — illuminating The Commercial Travellers Association (CTA) building in Martin Place, also known as the ‘Mushroom Building’ designed by modernist Architect Harry Seidler. Created by Ample Projects this concept has won local and international awards. UrbanTree 2.0 takes viewers deep within an exotic forest ecosystem, where rivers flow, plant life grows and each night a giant glowing frog succeeds in catching a hiding caterpillar. It gives Vivid Sydney’s visitors a unique glimpse of how interdependent creatures and habitats are on our delicate and beautiful planet.

Deep Forest was designed by culinary and art duo Motti+Smith, who have assembled a talented young team to realise the idea. Including the production expertise of Paper Moose and Stagekings, they have fashioned an oasis which brings both forest and feasting place to the urban jungle of Sydney’s CBD.

Lux Populi by Stagekings soars 10 metres above the forest floor, creating a ‘tree of light’ that shelters a tasty surprise. Under the CTA tree, the renowned Argentinian restaurant Porteño demonstrates mastery of the fire pit from a genuine Argentine asador or barbecue. Some of NSW’s best fire chefs will join Porteño, creating exciting culinary collaborations with NSW wines and beverages.

Everywhere you turn, you’re surrounded by glittering colour, movement and incredible food. Atmos, Paper Moose’s magical display of ghost-like scrims and ribbons, is positioned above the dining area, recreating the majesty of our ‘Southern Lights’, the Aurora Australis. re/FRACTION fills the Lloyd Rees fountain with brilliantly glittering, refracted light, where artists of the Buchan Group have taken a very familiar landmark and reinvented it in a most unexpected way!

Where: Martin Place between George and Elizabeth Streets.