Londoners get personal with the Olympics
London College of Communication (LCC) alumnus Lorenzo Belenguer is the mastermind behind TESTIMONIES – a Cultural Olympiad and Inspire Mark project created to explore Londoners’ stories before the Olympics in 1948 and today.
The first part of the project, which forms part of the Cultural Olympiad is a sound installation based on recorded interviews with London residents, young and old, and it is currently on show at the Willesden Green Centre until 30 June.
Now the project is seeking contributions from across the social media spectrum and these tweets and Facebook stories will be broadcast in venues across London over the summer. This makes TESTIMONIES one of the first art projects to put social media at its core.
Belenguer explains: “I soon realised that if I wanted to make this project truly inclusive social media had to be part of it. Everybody and anybody can voice their opinions, concerns and expectations via Facebook, Twitter and Vimeo.”
“This is a grassroots venture linking art with history and its basic question is: what sort of relationship do we want Londoners to have with the Olympics?, says Belenguer. “By giving a voice to Londoners’ through this project we are offering people the chance to take part in this living legacy and share what matters to them about these forthcoming games.”
Notable testimonies include those from retired teacher/swimmer Susan who shares about what is was like to be a swimmer at the 1948 Olympic Games, and student Priyesh Patel’s expectations of London 2012 (see below).
You can make your own contribution to this project and comment about the Olympics via Facebook (Testimonies London), Twitter (TestimoniesLDN) with the use of the hashtag #ThisIsMyTestimonyLondon and Vimeo if you want to show a video.
Recent testimonies on Facebook include: “I was born the year the Olympics came to London so I would love to be involved as a volunteer – even if it is directing people at Kings Cross Station!”
TESTIMONIES is currently in talks with LOCOG to broadcast the stories via large screens located all over London during the Games.
Read more at www.LondonersTestimonies.com
