The Giant Company, an Irish-based organization working in concert with cities, embassies, and leaders across the globe, has unveiled a new visitor attraction concept at IAAPA Expo Europe 2021 – the world’s tallest moving statue, which will stand at over 10 storeys high.
This technological first has ‘skin’ comprised of millions of LED pixels which can be programmed to transform into any visual image and also features a unique scanning system that can scan a visitor and project their image on the statue for a one-of-a-kind selfie opportunity. The system can also film visitors and record their voices to be transferred to The Giant too.
New prototype on show
While The Giant was previously workable in theory, now the company’s design team have created a cutting-edge prototype to show it in action. This 4-metre tall anthropomorphic head and accompanying scanning system are now on show at IAAPA Expo Europe in Barcelona, where attractions industry professionals are able to see it in action.
After its appearance at the trade show, The Giant head will travel to Dubai to be revealed to the public for the first time, as well as to interested parties who hope to bring the first full Giant statue to fruition in the UAE. The prototype will then continue to tour, visiting locations in Italy and the USA.
As well as the LED skin, The Giant will also feature elements such as moving arms and a moving head. Every hour, it will speak about a remarkable person and then transform into that person’s image, while speaking, singing or reciting poetry. When it is not performing, guests will have a chance to be scanned and displayed onto the statue, and will also be invited to join the Giants Movement to save the planet.
An ambitious project
Guests will also be able to discover a number of immersive exhibits, featuring new technologies such as AR and VR, robotics and AI, designed to engage and educate visitors of all ages. Another feature will be the viewing tower, where visitors can literally stand on the “shoulders of a giant” and look out over the city.
The Giant Company, headquartered in Dublin, Ireland and led by award-winning entrepreneur Paddy Dunning, is behind the concept. The company has brought together a world-class design team to make The Giant a reality, including Berlin-based architecture studio, dan pearlman; international engineering firm, WSP; Austrian-based audio-visual and exhibition developers, Kraftwerk; Austrian boutique technology design firm, Responsive Spaces; and Istanbul-based LED company, Ledeca, as well as several Dublin-based staff designers and other creatives.
“We are now seeking 21 sites in 21 cities around the world,” says Dunning. “The Giant will be one of the world’s most ambitious cultural and commercial projects bringing together art, amusement and wonder to create a contemporary and highly profitable business.
“We envision The Giant as an adjunct to new urban redevelopment projects, stadiums, arenas, shopping centres, museums and other locations; it’s going to be an awe-inspiring addition to the cities where we locate it as you will see in our video on our website and YouTube channel. There’s nothing like it on the planet!”
Boosting local economies
Cities that host The Giant will benefit from an economic boost, as it will increase tourism as well as providing job opportunities. In addition to the income from ticket sales, it offers a number of revenue-producing opportunities, for instance, advertising and sponsorship, Giant selfies, events and conferences and retail shops, as well as a roof terrace restaurant. The company intends to collaborate with top chefs, artists and inventors in each location for a memorable dining and retail experience.
There is also The Giant’s web portal where visitors to the site can purchase an array of products and join the Giants Movement. In a statement, the company says:
“The Giants Movement will be a leader on several pressing social, cultural and environmental issues and causes including promoting sustainable living and climate action. The Giants Foundation was founded to fund trendsetting educational and recreational programmes for children and young people as well as engaging in other philanthropic endeavours.”
Sites are now being located around the world, including in Dubai, Naples Italy, Las Vegas, New York, Chicago, Shenzhen China, Hong Kong, Cannes, Brussels, Madrid, Lisbon, Liverpool, Dublin, Berlin and more.
More information and an RFP (Request For Proposal) is available on The Giant Company’s website.
