Thursday 9 February saw Imagineer Productions join engineers NP Aerospace and Shaw Sheet Metal in unveiling Godiva’s extraordinary vehicle, the 7m long and 8m high Cyclopedia for the first time. Godiva Awakes is part of the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad, the Cyclopedia will take Godiva to London as part of the celebrations for the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Designed by Coventry based engineers NP Aerospace in partnership with designers from Coventry University and built by Rugby based engineers Shaw Sheet Metal, the Cyclopedia has been created making the most of the region’s technical and engineering knowhow whilst retaining the charm and ethos of the original sketches for the vehicle.
Producing a road-going multi-seated cycling machine capable of travel to London and powering Godiva requires a structurally sound and innovative design. The Cyclopedia draws on Coventry’s past ingenuity in bicycle design, with NP Aerospace adapting the region’s best know cycle the Pashley Cycle, and using contemporary light weight materials, technology and human power in the design.
Claire Maddocks, Director Imagineer Productions said: “We are looking forward to unveiling the physical structure, the rig that with the aid of our 100 strong cycle team will power Godiva to London later this year. At this point the structure does not feature the iconic horses head, tail or legs that are part of the original sketches; we will look forward to unveiling these with Godiva in July.”
Roger Medwell, Design team NP Aerospace said: “Working on this project has been a fantastic challenge for our engineers, an opportunity to demonstrate how creative engineering can be as well as an opportunity for all the suppliers involved in the project to translate their technical knowhow into something extraordinary. I hope the project will prove an inspiration, not only for the next generation of arts and cultural students but for engineering students demonstrating that engineering is behind some of the most innovative designs.”
Ros Robins, West Midlands Director, Arts Council England, said: “Godiva Awakes is one of 12 exciting public art commissions in which the Arts Council has invested to help celebrate the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
“Not only will Godiva be seen and enjoyed by many thousands of people in the West Midlands but on her journey to London will be seen by many more.
“The Cycolpedia, which will propel her to London, is innovative and brings together the arts, engineering and the public. It is a wonderful concept.”
NP Aerospace has drawn on the expertise and skills, in-kind, of a number of regionally based engineering and manufacturing companies including: Shaw Sheet Metal; Garforth and Goodman; Park Sheet Metal; Universal Fabrications; Winstanleys; Lighting Aerospace; MIRA.
On Saturday 28 July 2012, Imagineer Productions 21st Century Godiva will awake to a spectacular performance involving dancers, aerialists, musicians, pyrotechnicians, carnivalists and 220 young people in a procession marking the unveiling of this Godiva for the modern age.
Powered by 100 cyclists and clothed in a coat crafted by artists from across the region, on Sunday 29 July Godiva will set off on her journey from Coventry to London in celebration of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and, arriving on Sunday 5 August, deliver the Book of Intent. The Book of Intent carries the voices of young people and their global partners to the world – it is the actions they will take to make the world a fairer place.
Godiva will seek sanctuary at towns and cities on her way to London passing through Rugby (30th July), Northampton (31st July), Milton Keynes (1st August), Luton (2nd August), Hatfield (3rd August), Waltham Abbey (4th August) arriving at Waltham on Sunday 5th August.
Over 1000 people are already part of the Godiva Awakes project across the region, including the Communitas (220 young people), the Choir (150), the Cycle Team (100) with 58 people employed on delivering Godiva Awakes alongside eight apprenticeships for young people and a further 100 jobs planned to be created during the project.
Godiva Awakes is part of Artists taking the lead, a series of 12 public art commissions across the UK to celebrate the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad, funded by Arts Council England.
Godiva Awakes is also supported by Coventry City Council and is part of the Cities 2012 programme.
For further information or to sign up to receive regular up-dates visit www.imagineerproductions.co.uk.