Feeding The Fire At Vivid Sydney
Visiting Bon{d}fire at Vivid Sydney, as a UX nerd 🤓
There is something timeless about gathering around a fire and sharing stories. This year at Vivid Sydney, Bon{d}fire captured that feeling brilliantly. The installation served as a thoughtful bridge between ancient tradition and futuristic design, using light and sound to create an experience that felt both intimate and communal. It reminded me that even in a fast-paced, digital world, we still crave warmth, meaning, and the simple magic of being together.
So how does Bon{d}fire blend tradition and technology to create something deeply human?
Reimagining the ritual
Bon{d}fire is a poetic fusion of past and present, truly an ode to the age-old ritual of gathering around a fire to share stories, from ghostly tales to heartfelt confessions. This installation by Thai artists from 27 JUNE Studio taps into the primal magic of storytelling, where every flicker of memory sparks emotional resonance and shared meaning.
Its design feels incredibly intentional. The sinuous curves of the columns mimic the dance of firelight, glowing in hues of ember red and orange that make the reference instantly familiar. The ambient soundtrack, an artful blend of cracking fire and soft rustling, wraps visitors in an atmosphere that is both cosy and alive.
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Cleverly nested in the heart of Barangaroo Reserve, surrounded by trees and grass, Bon{d}fire feels like stumbling upon a secret campfire in the woods. There is a touch of magic in the air, a whisper of nostalgia, a sense of connection that draws people in and holds them there, as if time has softened around the edges. Here, modern design meets mythic remembrance creating a space where the spirit of togetherness is rekindled.
Designed for conviviality
The creators of Bon{d}fire indicated an intent to foster a sense of collectiveness, which definitely radiates from every angle. Even from afar, the installation draws a crowd. People naturally gather around it in a circular formation, just as they would around a real bonfire. Most stand quietly enchanted, eyes lifted to the swirling columns lighting up in gradients of red, orange and gold. As we walk by, the scene is filled with children laughing, friends deep in conversation, smiles lighting up faces, cameras capturing the moment. There is a palpable hum of joy in the air.
What emerges from Bon{d}fire feels like more than an art piece and more like a living space of conviviality. It is a magnetic centre of warmth that proves that even in the heart of the city, people will instinctively gather where there is light, beauty and a shared sense of belonging.
Meaningful interactivity
Where Bon{d}fire really shines for me is in its interactivity. It doesn’t just invite you to look, it invites you to speak. As visitors approach, they’re met by curious tentacle-like structures mounted with microphones. An open invitation to ignite the flame with their stories. Without needing instructions, people lean in.
The microphones are placed at varying heights, as if to welcome voices from all walks of life. Children, elders, the loud, the shy… each voice celebrated. When someone speaks, glowing yellows streaks shoot upward, a visual response that is immediate and enchanting. It acts as more than feedback, it signifies transformation. Words become light. Stories become energy.
It’s a moment of magic that says your story belongs here. Suddenly the line between the audience and the artwork dissolves. Visitors become part of something greater, a collective bonfire built not from wood, but from words. There is a quiet power to that, a sense that by speaking, they have helped shape a living archive of our shared humanity.
