The Floating Cinema was an extraordinary customised narrow boat developed by artists Nina Pope and Karen Guthrie (known collectively as Somewhere), and designed by Hackney based architects Studio Weave, which sought to connect the communities of the Olympic host boroughs with the new Olympic Park and particularly engage those communities that live on or nearby the canals during the summer 2011.
Hosting a varied and vibrant programme of free on-board screenings, quirky canal tours, talks and workshops, as well as large scale outdoor film events for canal side audiences, The Floating Cinema brought a range of different cultural activity to the East London canals and rivers.
In addition, Somewhere created a film that was screened throughout the programme. Entitled Barging through London (Again), the film followed a shot-for-shot remake of the 1920’s film that poignantly highlighted the changing landscape of the waterways over the last 90 years.
The Floating Cinema 2011 was commissioned by The Olympic Delivery Authority, funded by Arts Council England and part of CREATE11.
