An Olympic art installation that gives a voice to Londoners will be broadcast in major public spaces through London 2012, thanks to the support of the BBC and the General London Authority (GLA).
TESTIMONES was created by the Spanish artist Lorenzo Belenguer in response to his local community wanting to become more involved in this year's Olympic and Paralympic Games. Selected by the Olympic Committee as a top 10 project from hundreds of others, it has been adopted as one of the Cultural Olympiad's key cultural projects.
This project takes raw interviews and testimonies from those who were part of the 1948 Games and are part of this year's Games, and shares these experiences in short videos. These videos will be, or have already been, broadcast in locations include the new University of the Arts at King's Cross, the Polish Cultural Centre and Soho.
Munira Mirza, Advisor on Culture and Youth to the Mayor of London Boris Johnson, said: 'We want as many Londoners as possible getting involved in the 2012 Games, being inspired by both the sporting action and the wide-ranging programme being planned as part of the Cultural Olympiad. TESTIMONIES is a wonderful project, connecting local people to one of the most exciting years in London's history and creating a fascinating record for long after the athletes have run and the medals have been won.'
Belenguer, who is also director of exhibitions at the Gallery Willesden Green BAR and has had his work exposed at the Tate Modern, explains that "this project's driving aim is to connect local people with one of the most exciting years in the history of London and create a dynamic conversation around the Games. The main question for us is: What kind of relationship do Londoners have with the Olympics? And we want this conversation to fill London's streets."
How can you participate?
Via Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/TESTIMONIESLondon
Via Twitter:
https://twitter.com/testimoniesldn
The most inspiring stories will be invited to a video interview.
Rachel Yankey, Great Britain women's Olympic football team player, tell us her testimony:
Malcom Tappin, Retired Structural Engineer, tell us how it was like to be at the Opening Ceremony in 1948!
For more information and listen to stories, please visit the website:
http://www.LondonersTestimonies.com
If you need more information, please contact Lorenzo Belenguer on:
lorenzo.belenguer@gmail.com