In a world first KMA create a stunning large-scale game of lights across the North East from 29th October to 1st November 2009 (17.30 – late).
Gateshead, Sunderland and Middlesbrough to host ground breaking interactive game from digital pioneers KMA.
As part of the Bupa Great North Run Cultural programme, digital pioneers KMA have been commissioned to create a world first: a huge, participatory, high-tech athletics tournament. Taking place simultaneously in three North East locations; Gateshead, Sunderland and Middlesbrough each area will compete against the other across four nights.
Projected light and thermal-imaging technology are used to create jaw-dropping interactive playing arenas in which human movement triggers spectacular light effects. The physical movements of players determine the outcome of the games, which will run on ten-minute cycles. Participants develop their game-playing skills as they progress through a number of levels to help their area to victory or to simply have fun.
Audiences in each of the three locations can take part in the games, which are played on ‘courts’ created by projected light; each court comprising a central playing area and two zones representing the other two locations. Balls of light appear from the centre of each court – these projected images can be moved by players physically ‘touching’ them. The aim of the first game is for each location to gain points by moving as many balls as possible to the other locations. Games last 90 seconds and 5 games make a series – through which the games increase in complexity as players become more familiar with the rules. The town or city with the most points at the end wins.
KMA’s mission is to apply leading digital innovation to large-scale live environments in order to expand the audiences’ experience of the work beyond the physical environment in which it is presented. Great Street Games will light up iconic locations across the North East but the aim of the work is to illuminate and animate the people of the region not the buildings.
Beth Bate, Cultural Programme Manager commented; “The Cultural Programme is all about getting people inspired and involved and Great Street Games does just that. This is a world first that takes art and sport to the streets. We’re also encouraging a bit of friendly rivalry across the North East. Just like the Bupa Great North Run, it’s active, it’s outdoors and it’s spectacular but you don’t have to be an experienced runner to take part – but the more you play, the better you’ll get!”
Great Street Games will take place in Baltic Square, Gateshead, Centre Square, Middlesbrough and The Old Fire Station, Sunderland.
Visit www.greatstreetgames.org.uk for updates and more information
The Bupa Great North Run Cultural Programme:
The Bupa Great North Run Cultural Programme is an annual series of artistic commissions, across artforms which respond to the Bupa Great North Run and celebrate sport and art. The commissions offer new perspectives and insights into the people that take part in the event, the journeys people undergo, the geography and landscape of the famous route, and the spirit of the event.
Established in 2005 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Run, the Cultural Programme has developed an impressive track-record exploring the unique partnership between art and sport. Previous visual art commissions include film, music, painting, drawing, photography, writing and mass participation projects, from artists including Jane and Louise Wilson, Iain Forsyth and Jane Pollard, Michael Nyman, Graham Dolphin, Claire Morgan, and writers including David Almond and Bill Bryson amongst others.
Contacts:
For further information / Use of pictures / Interviews
Idea Generation: +44(0)20 7749 6850
Ellen Harrison: ellen@ideageneration.co.uk
Emily Airton: emily@ideageneration.co.uk
Great Street games website
