On Saturday 23 July Trafalgar Square will be transformed to celebrate all things animation with a film screening of Tate Movie Project’s The Itch of The Golden Nit. Created by thousands of children across the UK as part of the Cultural Olympiad, this is the first opportunity for the public to see the film on an open-air big screen, made possible by BP and part of the London 2012 Open Weekend. Families can take part in a wide range of free activities including interactive animation workshops, and meet some of the big names that made it happen. Funded by Legacy Trust UK and BP, with additional support and resources from the BBC, the film has been brought together by Tate and the creative magic of Aardman Animations.
Trafalgar Square will become a hive of activity for all families to get involved in throughout the day. Tate will present a rolling programme of The Itch of The Golden Nit film, a screening of Blue Peter’s ‘Making of…,’ and special appearances from children’s TV presenters, including Blue Peter’s Andy Akinwolere and CBBC’s Iain Stirling, and celebrated illustrators including Tony Ross of Horrid Henry and Little Princess. Special guests include Sam & Mark, and Cerrie and Alex from Cbeebies.
Alongside this programme children can take part in a whole range of movie-related fun in different areas of the square. Highlights include:
- How To: hear from animators from Aardman Animations, illustrators and stars from CBBC including Nev the Bear and Kirsten O’Brien
- Now Do: visit the Tate Movie Project truck, to take part in hands-on animation workshops with the team.
- Green Screen: drop by the ‘green screen’ area and see yourself in the magical world of the movie.
- Sound Booth: create your own sound effects and voiceovers to the film at the sound booth truck.
Families in London can make a day of the London 2012 Open Weekend activities by visiting BP Saturdays: Tate Together at Tate Britain for a free day of art and activities. Highlights include ‘Overhead Overlays’, a workshop where families can create moving-images using video, images and projections, and ‘Real Time’ where movement and action is played back to participants by motion capture performers. The Roundhouse Experimental Choir will also be performing throughout the building, listen out for their experimental acoustics and improvisations.
Buses 87 and 88 run between Tate Britain and Trafalgar Square, making it easy to hop between both locations for the ultimate art-filled day for all the family.