Opening today, The World in London is a major exhibition for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games. Initiated by The Photographers’ Gallery, the project set out to commission 204 photographic portraits of 204 Londoners, each originating from one of the nations competing at the London 2012 Olympics. The portraits are exhibited as large-scale posters at two sites close to Olympic venues: on the external wall surrounding the BT London Live site in Victoria Park in East London, and across a city-block in Central London covering the façade of the new Park House development in Oxford Street.
The World in London explores portraiture and cultural diversity using photography, one of the most accessible and democratic artistic mediums of our times. The project celebrates London as a place where individuals from all works of life and all parts of the world live side by side, each of them contributing to make London the unique city it is.
In addition to the outdoor exhibitions, The World in London images can be viewed on a decided website offering access to the personal stories behind each portrait.
The World in London, Victoria Park from 27th July until 12th August and Park House from 27th July until 30th August. www.theworldinlondon.org.uk
Credits:
1. Elina Brotherus Rasha Kahil, Lebanon
2. Simone Koch Jenny E Schmidt, Germany
3. Andrew Buurman Pedro Garcia, Spain
4. Charlotte Player India Dane Ngatama May, Cook Islands
5. Zanele Muholi Skye Chirape, Zimbabwe
6. Ian Teh Tash Aw, Malaysia
7. Briony Campbell Souleymane Koanda, Burkina Faso
8. Aidan O’Neill Rayna Cooke Ferner, Canada
All images courtesy of The Photographers’ Gallery, London