Skywhales Across Australia: Red Hill launch
Sat, Nov 08, 2025 05:00 AM - 07:30 AM
Arthurs Seat Road, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 3937
Overview
About this Event
Leading Australian contemporary artist Patricia Piccinini’s hyperreal hot air-balloon sculptures Skywhale and Skywhalepapa take flight at Red Hill Recreation Reserve.
Skywhales Across Australia: Mornington Peninsula offers a unique 90-minute experience to witness the magic of the skywhales at sunrise.
Pack a picnic, grab a coffee or breakfast from a food van and feel the anticipation build as the balloons inflate and take flight before your eyes.
A soundscape sets the mood, followed by a special introduction from the visionary artist Patricia Piccinini herself. As the first light of day breaks over the Mornington Peninsula, the skywhales ascend and lift your spirits at sunrise.
The project centres around care, family and community. The slow inflation of the balloons, with cold air, then hot, allows the sculptures to rise from the ground and come to life. When fully inflated, and with weather permitting, they take to the skies together.
The skywhale festivities continue back at MPRG, with a book reading and artist talk with Patricia Piccinini.
DETAILS
Skywhales Across Australia
Saturday 8 November, Red Hill Recreation Reserve
FREE EVENT
Site open to public from 4.30am
5.40am: Welcome and Patricia Piccinini address
6.05am: Skywhale and Skywhalepapa launch (sunrise)
Free community event, presented by the National Gallery of Australia, hosted by MPRG, & supported by the Friends of MPRG
PLEASE NOTE:
- Entry is FREE. Please follow the directions from the Red Hill District Lions Club for parking assistance on arrival.
- The skywhales gradually inflate over 90 minutes, reaching their full height and taking off (weather permitting) at sunrise.
- The event will conclude by 6.30am
- It may be cold at sunrise, so dress warmly with waterproof sneakers or soft shoes only.
- Bring a torch as it will be dark early, and a rug and breakfast picnic to enjoy during the pre-launch action.
- Camping chairs will not be permitted on the sports oval as they damage the surface. You may however set chairs up on the adjacent netball courts.
- Although tempting, please do not bring your dogs or pets to the launch.
- Food and drink vendors will be onsite selling food and hot drinks.
- Acessible parking & viewing is available. Please ask parking attendants for directions.
- Inclement weather may prevent the Skywhales from taking flight, however a tethered launch may be possible. MPRG will send an email with the likelihood of flying in the days preceeding the event. Please check your email for updates on the launch. It’s important to register so you receive these notifiations.
Plan your visit: Explore Mornington Peninsula
Image credits: Patricia Piccinini, Skywhalepapa, 2020, National Gallery of Australia, Kamberri/Canberra, © Patricia Piccinini
Patricia Piccinini, Skywhalepapa, 2020 and Skywhale, 2013, National Gallery of Australia, Kamberri/Canberra, © Patricia Piccinini
Skywhales Across Australia is a National Gallery Touring Event, supported by the Australian Government through Visions of Australia and the National Collecting Institutions Touring Outreach Program. Skywhales is the third instalment of The Balnaves Contemporary Series and is a Know My Name project.
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