Everyone has seen the huge statue of Lady Godiva which stands proudly in Coventry City Centre. But in July 2012, members of the public will be able to see Lady Godiva come to life as she is taken on a journey from Coventry to London.
Imagineer Productions entered a national competition called ‘Artists Take The Lead’, and won the West Midlands commission out of 133 entries. Their idea was to ‘awaken’ Lady Godiva in the 21st Century.
A ten metre high mannequin of Godiva is being created and will deliver the ‘Book of Intent’ to London. This is a document created by young people across the West Midlands containing pledges to make positive changes to the world that they live in.
The mannequin will be mounted onto the ‘Cyclopedia’, a custom made cycling structure powered by a total of one hundred cyclists. The cyclists are of mixed ability and are being led by the British Cycling Champion, Mick Ives.
Coventry University students will also have a part to play in the event, as the Fashion students will be helping designer Zandra Rhodes to create the shift and corset which the mannequin will wear.
David Moorcroft, Chair of the West Midlands Leadership Group for the 2012 Games, is excited for the event to take place.
‘It’s really innovative and it’ll be really quite different. The event represents the heritage of Coventry, Coventry as it is now and the future of Coventry.’
The project is part of the Cultural Olympiad, which Moorcroft explains shows that “the Olympics are not just about sport, culture is a major part of it to and there are lots of cultural programmes going on across the country.”
It is believed that Lady Godiva stands for justice, humanitarianism, courage and positivity, values which the Olympics also represent.
Lady Godiva will be travelling through Rugby, Northampton, Milton Keynes, Luton, Hatfield and Waltham Abbey.
