Thought you might all be interested to hear about the launch of a new cultural website by Icons Online working with Cognitive Applications and Culture Online, part of the Dept for Culture, Media and Sport (in England).
Icons Online will also be working with a number of cultural and heritage institutions to develop content, stage special events in Dec 2005/2006 and to publicise the Icons- A Portrait of England project described below. If anyone is interested in partnering or being involved in this project in England, please contact Jerry Doyle at [email protected] Anyone can nominate icons in England, so do please visit the site at www.icons.org.uk to do so. Comments, reminiscences and other contributions are also welcome. - Jerry > From Stonehenge to A Cup of Tea Nominate your top Icons of England! The quest is on to find England s top cultural icons in a new online project to be launched later in 2005. Icons commissioned by Culture Online, part of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport in England aims to paint a virtual portrait of the country through an exploration of everything that we cherish in our culture, from Stonehenge to the humble cup of tea. People are invited to visit the preview site at www.icons.org.uk to nominate their icons of England and cast votes for or against an initial list of ten. These include Stonehenge, Punch and Judy, the S.S. Empire Windrush, Holbein s portrait of Henry VIII, a cup of tea, the F.A. Cup, Alice in Wonderland, the Routemaster double-decker bus, the King James Bible and the Angel of the North. When it s launched later this year, Icons A Portrait of England will enable members of the public to add their own icons suggestions, and to share anecdotes, photographs and memories about their favourite icons to help enrich the content of the new website now being developed. Icons of England will become a rich tapestry interleaved with hundreds of nominations. It will grow into a work of art in its own right. This initial list of ten is just the beginning to spark off debate the first few threads, if you like. We want hundreds more nominations too, said Jerry Doyle, Managing Director of Icons Online. The idea is to switch people on to our rich cultural heritage. We want to include everyone s favourite icons, whatever their background. It will be a treasure trove of icons - an exciting online collection of England s icons, identifying those things that make England what it is in the 21st century. The aim is to create a vibrant resource for teachers in classrooms, as well as providing an entertaining and stimulating springboard to adult learning." Mike Greenwood, commissioning executive at Culture Online, said: "We're hoping to start a debate about what gives a cultural object the status of an icon. People have strong views and we're likely to have some lively discussions! The personal meanings and associations inspired by some of England's icons included in the website are likely to be as rich and fascinating as the iconic objects themselves." Icons Online has been set up to develop the Icons of England website by Cognitive Applications, a Brighton web company, which has established a track record in this field with clients ranging from the National Portrait Gallery to Manchester United. To vote for nominations or to suggest your own cultural icon, visit: www.icons.org.uk Further information or comments to: [email protected] --- You are currently subscribed to mcn_mcn-l as: [email protected] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [email protected]
