Coventry City Council

Godiva Awakes

Commissioned through Artists Taking the Lead, an exciting project forming part of London 2012’s Cultural Olympiad and funded by Arts Council England, Imagineer Productions Godiva Awakes, was one of 12 commissions across the UK, each inspired by their location and celebrating the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

 

Imagine a ten metre high Lady Godiva, awakening from her sleeping chamber for the first time. She stands in the centre of England between the White Horse in Kent and the Angel of the North, a potent symbol of justice across the world, reborn for the 21st century, embodying the values of fair play, friendship, respect and courage that are at the heart of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

 

Clothed in a coat crafted by artists and communities from across the region, chronicling the West Midland’s unique industrial and engineering heritage she is a moving, breathing monument, reflecting the excellence of past engineering glories and ‘imagineering’ the engineering future for all our young people in the West Midlands.

 

In July 2012, Godiva awoke to a spectacular performance involving 200 dancers, actors, aerialists, musicians, pyrotechnicians, carnivalists and young people in a procession marking the unveiling of this Lady Godiva for the modern age. Powered by 50 cyclists, Godiva will then journey to London to play a part in the London 2012 celebrations.

 

Godiva Awakes is a world class piece of public art, made by mechanics, artists, theatre makers, puppeteers and engineers from Coventry, the region, nationally and internationally to the highest standards of contemporary craftsmanship, which will play a significant role in the urban regeneration, development of tourism and regional pride for the West Midlands. Godiva Awakes will be a moving piece of public art the like of which has never been seen that runs on cycle power/sustainable energy.

 

Imagineer Productions is an independent creative production company based in Coventry, which produces large-scale outdoor events, carnival and site specific theatre. The team behind the name include: Jane Hytch, Kathi Leahy, Claire Maddocks and Andrea Simpson.

 

For further information please visit: www.godivaawakes.com