The spectacular, which included the projections, was organised by the Mayor of London in conjunction with Visit London. The images were part of a pyrotechnic, lighting and visual extravaganza designed to capture the spirit and inclusiveness of 2008 the Olympic year, and also looking forward to London's own hosting of the 2012 Olympic Games.
The New Year event took place along the Thames, encompassing the South Bank between Jubilee and Westminster Bridges, including iconic landmarks like the London Eye and Big Ben. An estimated 700,000 people went to central London to bring in the New Year, with an estimated 180,000 watching the event live from the banks of the Thames, while BBC1's live broadcast reached several million additional viewers.
The projections started at 9pm and ran up to a 60 second countdown just prior to the midnight lighting and firework show kick off. Artwork for the slides - including the countdown and the 'Happy New Year' finale image - was co-ordinated by Jack Morton's creative director Dan Colborne, while ETC undertook all the camera obscura and perspective correction work required to fit the images to the building.
ETC London's Ross Ashton designed the projection format, covering the full surface of the building with eight PIGI 6kW projectors to produce mega bright images. The projectors were sited 150m away on the edge of Jubilee Gardens.
Ross Ashton comments: "It was great to be working with Jack Morton on this seminal event again, and to be part of such a stunning and successful start to the year."(Jim Evans)
