Client
46664 / Nelson Mandela Foundation
Location
Grand Central Terminal, Vanderbilt Hall, New York
Duration
2 weeks
Visitors
420,000
Description
An essential part of the worldwide campaign to celebrate Mandela Day, the installation presented Nelson Mandela’s story as an inspirational call to social action. Installed in Grand Central Terminal’s main hall, six large-scale glowing elements shed light on aspects of Nelson Mandela’s life using powerful images, graphics, evocative stories, and sound. The front of each word conveyed key messages revealing Nelson Mandela’s values and inspiring visitors to act on social causes. The back of the words provided information about Mandela’s life, selected personal stories and excerpts from his speeches. Visitors were invited to write their personal messages in some of these back panels.
At one end of the Hall, a large-scale LED screen showed an eight-minute film about Nelson Mandela using animated graphics and text as well as historical and contemporary footage. At the other end of the hall, a stage was built for live events and lectures. The installation’s visual identity was created around evocative messages and ideas.
Products
Exhibition, Audiovisual, Website
Project developed as part of Ralph Appelbaum Associates’ team