WONDER: Cloud Play @ HOTA
WONDER 2025 delivers its biggest and boldest artwork to date with CLOUD PLAY by internationally renowned artist Patrick Shearn of Poetic Kinetics. Presented exclusively in Australia, this breathtaking kinetic sculpture is the centrepiece of this year’s festival and is on display at HOTA’s Outdoor Stage from 31st May to 13th July.
Spanning 530 square metres, CLOUD PLAY floats gracefully in the air, evoking the fluid formations of a murmuration of birds or a school of fish. The sculpture moves with the wind, serving as a mesmerising reminder of nature’s presence. Crafted from tens of thousands of shimmering ribbons, the artwork incorporates personal reflections gathered from the Gold Coast community during the Sky Ribbons project in March. Each ribbon carries a message completing the sentence, “I’m grateful to call the Gold Coast home because…”, creating a dynamic expression of local gratitude and identity.
Accompanying the visual experience is an original soundscape blending natural sounds with music and cultural knowledge. Created by Saltwater man Lann Levinge, operatic baritone Jose Carbo, and celebrated didgeridoo artist William Barton, the soundscape adds depth and atmosphere to the installation.
After dark, CLOUD PLAY transforms as IKONIX illuminates the sculpture with light displays that respond to real-time wind data, bringing the ribbons to life in a symphony of movement and colour.
This captivating installation is part of a broader program of free and ticketed events under WONDER, running from Saturday 31st May to Saturday 21st June. With its scale, beauty, and community spirit, CLOUD PLAY is a must-see experience for both locals and visitors this winter.
WONDER: Cloud Play @ HOTA event details
When: Saturday 31st May – Sunday 13th July, Exhibiting daily 9am-9pm*
*Exhibition may be closed to the public for the setup and presentation of ticketed events.
Where: HOTA Outdoor Stage, 135 Bundall Rd, Surfers Paradise 4217
Cost: Free
More information: WONDER: CLOUD PLAY @ HOTA
