Following a five-year hiatus, Asia TOPA (Asia-Pacific Triennial of Performing Arts) is set to return from 20 February to 10 March 2025, promising a vibrant city-wide celebration of contemporary performance.
The festival is a collaboration between Arts Centre Melbourne and the Sidney Myer Fund and debuted in 2017 with a successful return in 2020, but was halted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 2025 iteration will spotlight the creativity and cultural innovation of the Asia-Pacific region, showcasing an impressive lineup of more than 33 performance projects, including 18 world premieres and 18 new commissions.
Among the highlights, the Southern Hemisphere premiere of the groundbreaking mixed-reality concert experience KAGAMI will take place from 19 February.
This collaboration between mixed reality innovators Tin Drum and the late Ryuichi Sakamoto—renowned for his work with Yellow Magic Orchestra and his Academy Award-winning score for The Last Emperor—promises to be a transformative experience.
Audiences will don state-of-the-art VR headsets to wander through a performance space where a virtual avatar of Sakamoto performs ten original compositions, merging stunning visuals with profound musicality.
Another highlight is Home Bound, – an ambitious public art project led by Daniel Kok and Luke George, that will engage the community in creating a massive woven installation at the Arts Centre Melbourne.
This initiative invites the public to donate materials and participate in weaving workshops, fostering inclusivity and civic pride. The project aims to represent social dialogue and coexistence through collaborative artistic expression.
In 2025, Asia TOPA will also introduce three new programming streams: Nightlife, merging contemporary art with club culture; Knowledge, featuring public discussions and workshops; and Exchange, connecting local and international arts professionals.
The full performance program will be unveiled on 12 November 2024. For more information visit asiatopa.com.au.
