The Big Swim by Tine Bech

Wednesday 27 July 2011

The Big Swim (2011) by Tine Bech at Camberwell Leisure Centre; photo by Nicolai Amter
Last weekend, London celebrated one year until the 2012 Olympic Games with special events and exhibitions featuring art, dance, film, and sports events. One such event was the Big Swim, an interactive light installation held at two local swimming pools. At this open to the public event, 220 guests swam in clouds of colour as filtered lights covered the water.
The Big Swim at Camberwell leisure centre; photo by Stephanie Kennedy


Visual artist and researcher Tine Bech created the event in partnership with the Creative Campus Initiative to allow local communities to immerse themselves in the spirit of the 2012 Games. True to Bech’s artistic style, the Big Swim was an interactive public experience reliant on audience engagement and play. Bech wanted to encourage playful art experiences and promote an interest in swimming in prior to the Games.

The Big Swim (2011) by Tine Bech at Camberwell Leisure Centre; photo by Nicolai Amter

The Big Swim (2011) by Tine Bech at Camberwell Leisure Centre; photo by Nicolai Amter

Last weekend’s events were held to promote local community and allow people from all over the UK to be a part of the London 2012 experience. Known as Open Weekend, these series of events are a part of the Cultural Olympiad, a four-year long cultural celebration culminating with the London 2012 Festival .

The Big Swim by Tine Bech at Barton Leisure Centre; photo by Nicolai Amter