There, Now, Here is a 6.5-meter-tall public artwork by Brooklyn-based studio Wade and Leta created for Vivid Sydney 2026 at Circular Quay. The kinetic installation combines wind, motors, and visitor interaction to generate continuous movement. A see-saw integrated into the structure allows participants to influence the sculpture's motion, creating changing visual compositions throughout the day. The project's color palette draws from Dorothea Mackellar's 1908 poem My Country, incorporating muted tones and black-and-white striping inspired by the Australian landscape.
The installation also includes an interactive sound component created by Josh Burgess. Visitors can manipulate recordings captured around Circular Quay, including water, light rail sounds, and pedestrian crossing signals. Audio controls are integrated into the artwork, enabling different sound combinations and experiences. The project marks Wade and Leta's first public installation in Australia and forms part of the Vivid Sydney 2026 program.
Image Credit: Wade and Leta
What's Driving This Trend
- Participatory Kinetic Art
- Public sculptures that respond to visitor movement create new models for civic engagement, blending play, design, and real-time co-creation in shared urban spaces.
- Wind-powered Installations
- Renewable energy embedded into public artwork signals potential for low-impact cultural infrastructure that turns environmental forces into visible, experiential media.
- Interactive Soundscapes
- Location-based audio controls transform ambient city noise into customizable cultural experiences, expanding how audiences connect with place through sensory design.
Who This Affects Most
- Public Art
- Kinetic and participatory installations introduce fresh commissioning possibilities for municipalities seeking memorable landmarks that evolve through weather, technology, and human interaction.
- Experiential Tourism
- Festival environments gain differentiation from immersive artworks that merge local identity, audience participation, and multisensory storytelling into destination-based attractions.
- Urban Design
- Interactive cultural structures point to future streetscapes where public furniture, renewable systems, and creative placemaking converge in adaptable civic environments.
