The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras has partnered with City of Sydney to celebrate 40 years of the iconic parade in the biggest, most fabulous way possible - with a colourful public art installation.
Titled '40 Years of Love', the nine-metre high artwork was unveiled yesterday in the heart of Sydney’s LGBTQI+ district, Taylor Square.
Representing the historic Mardi Gras concepts of public protest, celebration, community activation and engagement, the public artwork, which was designed by Maurice Goldberg and Matthew Aberline, was commissioned to coincide with last Sunday's 40th anniversary of the first ever Mardi Gras celebration turned protest, which took place in 1978.
Co-designer Averline admitted the project was a challenging one.
“We were struggling to describe a singular image to describe the history of Mardi Gras," Aberline said.
He continued: "It’s so varied, political, sexual, and the history of it is so complicated, so rather than trying to find a singular item, we decided to make a microcosm of what Mardi Gras is about – the good stuff, the bad stuff, and the celebration."
“It’ll be nine metres high at its highest point above the ground,” Goldberg added.
“That’s higher than a three-storey building. We want people to notice this – it’s a big, sassy, loud, undeniably in-your-face installation.”
Goldberg continued: “At Mardi Gras in March, they were talking about the 40th anniversary of the festival, but the 24th of June is the actual date.
“It’s our day – it’s our Stonewall. This is the anniversary of a 40-year revolution that began in blood, in tears, and behind bars. It destroyed lives. Here we are 40 years on, with incredible liberty. We can’t understate it – this is so much more than a party. This is us putting our stake in the ground. Over 40 years the diverse LGBTQI community has come so far."
Lord Mayor of Sydney Clover Moore said the work was created "to celebrate that first bloody Mardi Gras which took place on our streets exactly 40 years ago."
She continued: "It has been an honour to have so many opportunities this year to come together with our 78ers and LGBTQI community and to commemorate 40 years of love and protest. I would also like to acknowledge those LGBTQI heroes who are no longer with us today.”
Mardi Gras CEO Terese Casu said the installation was "a magnificent representation of 40 years of evolution and love.
She added: “40 years ago, on June 24, 1978, the first Mardi Gras celebration turned protest took place."
"Today, we not only pay respect to those that risked their lives for equality on that night and on nights since, but we also celebrate how the LBGTQI community has prevailed over the past 40 years."
Members of the community have until September 1st to visit the installation, before work begins on the district's new .
