Photography Exhibition, Birmingham, 13 July – 9 September 2012
In 2009 the National Portrait Gallery began the largest commissioning project it has ever undertaken: it has invited seven UK-based photographers to document the road to 2012. Over the period of three years photographers have been travelling around the country recording the planning of London Olympic and Paralympic Games, with all its events and individuals involved. From world-class athletes and those working behind the scenes, this photography exhibition captures the very making of every achievement leading towards London Games.
Brian Griffin: Setting Out Olympic Park Apprentices, 5 February 2010, Olympic Park, London
Colmore District and the Library of Birmingham bring together a selection of photographs, which celebrate the role of the individual behind the harsh face of sport and training. By looking at border spectrum of elements, Road to 2012 creates the story: who takes part, how is the community involved and behind-the-scenes of such project. By doing so, sport suddenly becomes a part of, not separate from life, in the same way as the Olympics become a part of, not separate from British culture.
The exhibition is located at two sites of Birmingham: Colmore Square and the New Church Street Square and it’s available to the public 24/7, making it an important and habitual (yet impermanent) element of busy life style. Accompanying the Olympics, the exhibition presents sport as a universal language, which recognises no borders and makes you feel an important part of this great project. Worth visiting!
Finlay MacKay: Changing Pace, 1 December 2010, Wales National Pool, Swansea (Eleanor Simmonds with Billy Pye)
View the Road to 2012 site here and the Magnum Sport site here.
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