Opening ceremony of the the Olympic Games 2008
Project Info

Opening ceremony of the the

Olympic Games 2008, Beijing

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Project Info


This spring marked the acquisition of the most spectacular assignment in the history of the agency and film production company congaz visual media company GmbH, Düsseldorf: the Olympic Creative Committee in China decided to buy the directorial concept of the Düsseldorf multimedia artist Andrée Verleger for parts of the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games. Implemented by the creative team from Düsseldorf, the concept attracted over two billion viewers around the world on 8 August 2008. It didn't take long for Verleger, who had worked closely with the proprietors of congaz, Lars and Barbara Barth, for years, to choose a partner with whom to take up the Olympic challenge. He needed a partner with exceptional technical knowledge and experience who would be able to turn his ideas, visions and thoughts into breathtaking projections. congaz thus initiated a team of 3D designers and multimedia specialists.

"Cheerful yet romantic, like a dream", was the Olympic brief for the imagery required. For the artistic idea, the Düsseldorf team reverted to the philosophy of t'ai chi, which means "complementary extremes". The projections and performance interact to portray nature and the elements fire, light and water. Life-sized blue whales circle around the massive roof of the stadium in an artistic interpretation of an underwater world.

Besides the choreographic challenge of coordinating images and interacting performers, the sophisticated architecture of the "bird's nest" had to be considered when producing the film sequences. "With a high degree of abstract thinking, multiple calculations and trials and errors on our miniature model in the cellar, we had to approximate the result", explained Lars Barth. At 720 metres, what was "probably the biggest video production of all time" was thus created, but for months only in a true-to-scale miniature version. 

Its actual implementation was correspondingly elaborate. Barth explained: "A normal film with standard technology could never be realised on this scale and in this way without sacrificing quality." congaz' film was broken down into 22 individual films, which were merged again via 22 synchronised projectors to create an overall picture in the stadium. "This is where our vast experience in multi-screen projection came in useful", said Barth.

"Even though the Chinese way of working is completely different, decision-making processes take longer and already approved concepts are discussed again days later, it is still a pleasure to work with them", said Uwe Malorny, 3D Designer and congaz' toehold in Beijing, when describing the intercontinental cooperation. "It was an exciting, stressful yet enriching time, from which we will profit immensely in the future", added Barth.

Credits


Client: Olympic Commitee
Creative Direction: Andree Verleger
Production: congaz

Creative/technical administration:
Lars Barth, Andree Verleger
Animations:
Uwe Malorny, Christoph Schmitz, Daniel Wichterich

Awards

VDW Award 2009

At this year's "VDW Award - The Board Of Ideas", the "Hatto" in the category "Visual Media, Microsite & Guerilla" went to congaz düsseldorf for the production and implementation of the "fiftyfifty - Transparent Man" project and Florian Meimberg, former CD of the agency Euro RSCG Düsseldorf.

 

In order to draw attention to the plight of the homeless, congaz used sophisticated projection technology to make homeless Lutz disappear right before the very eyes of astonished passers-by, causing quite a stir at the scene and in the media.

ADC*E

congaz gewinnt Gold für die mediale Inszenierung der Olympiade-Eröffnung in Peking.

 

Eine von zwei Goldmedaillen in der Kategorie „Environmental Design“ beim ADC of Europe ging an congaz düsseldorf für die international stark beachtete visuelle Inszenierung  des „Tai Chi Parts“ der olympischen Eröffnungsfeier in Peking 2008.

ADC

At this year's ADC competition, congaz received an award in the "Public Events" category for its visual staging of the "Tai Chi Parts" of the Olympic opening ceremony in Peking 2008. This element of the ceremony attracted strong international attention.

 

Moreover, congaz had an important hand in a further award given in the "Media" category to the agency Euro RSCG Düsseldorf. The award went to the project "fiftyfifty Transparent Man" realized in December 2008 in which the homeless person Lutz disappeared before the eyes of amazed passers-by, thus drawing attention to the plight of the homeless.

International Cup Award

After being voted the best media concept for the Beijing Olympics in 2008 by the ADC and ADC Europe, congaz’ project was automatically entered for the "Intercontinental Advertising Cup-Award", where all of the winners of the world’s biggest advertising event compete again.

 

Here congaz managed to ward off four equally high-ranking candidates to scoop gold in the category "Best of Installation".

Designpreis Deutschland EN

The Prize of Prizes in gold goes to congaz.

congaz has been awarded yet another gold medal from a high-carat jury, this time in recognition of the company´s visual presentation of the "Tai Chi Part" at the opening ceremony of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.

 

The Design Award of the Federal Republic of Germany is the highest official German design award. It is known as the "Prize of Prizes" because no other design prize sets such high standards for its entries. For instance, only companies whose product has previously received a national or international prize are allowed to enter the competition for the design award.

Another condition for entry is that the product or company must be nominated either by the Ministries and Senators of the Federal States or by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology. 

Mercury Excellence Award

In spring last year, congaz joined forces with Frankfurt agency Hab&Gut to produce various clips to support the campaign "HIS HOLINESS THE 14TH DALAI LAMA – FRANKFURT", which walked away with gold at the New York Mercury Awards in the category "Best of campaigns – pro bono".