For the whole of The City
Client:London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games
Project:Public video screens
Role:Design, fabrication and installation, nationwide
The idea of collective experience of televised events has lost its currency in the era of video recording and TV on demand. Gone is the day of an entire nation tuning in to find out if the latest British hopeful will not disgrace himself on the tennis court or who will take the rap for a mercy killing in Eastenders.
We donâ't share anything anymore.
But despite the increasing diversity of the UK population, the need for communities to converge, find common ground, resolve issues and seek understanding remains.
A substantial step in the direction of social cohesion might be taken, not by commissioning a lengthy research study, but simply by getting together for a bit of a party.
For two weeks in the summer of 2012 the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG) hopes that the nation will at least achieve that at 30 locations from Brighton to Glasgow.
Giant video displays, x by y are popping up all over the place. Each is an exercise in meticulous planning, accurate project management and fastidious attention to detail.
NES is part of the delivery team for the screens, working with other contractors, project managers, fitters and manufacturers, and a slew of interested parties: the BBC, the National Heritage Lottery Fund and several borough councils.
Each screen is framed using an aluminium composite material accurately shaped and fitted around the supporting structure.
NES has detailed knowledge of the materials and processes required to achieve the effect that designers and the LOCOG had envisaged. No other supplier could offer the combination of knowledge, experience and sheer tenacity required to manage the roll-out.
The result is a collection of highly distinctive additions to public spaces, which will draw people together to witness the Olympic Games live in London.