Nelson Mandela is honored in Times Square special video
theGRIO REPORT - Nelson Mandela has received many honors in his lifetime but never has a video tribute been dedicated to him in the heart of New York City – until now...
Nelson Mandela has received many honors in his lifetime but never has a video tribute been dedicated to him in the heart of New York City – until now.
Each night in April, from 11:57 p.m. to midnight, a short video bursts onto big screens in Times Square with bright visuals displaying the words and writing of the former South African president.
The words stem from text edited from Mandela’s inspiring speeches and highlight the wisdom he has shared over the past several decades.
Tribeca Film Festival plays a role
The three-minute film, titled The Power of Words by Montblanc, is part of the Tribeca Film Festival and commemorates the iconic anti-apartheid activist.
Mandela’s grandsons, Kweku and Ndaba Mandela, along with other family and friends, flew in from South Africa to attend a special viewing of the presentation last Friday.
They celebrated the power the Mandela’s legacy alongside the festival’s co-founders Robert De Niro and Jane Rosenthal.
Kweku, who is involved in the South African Film and Entertainment Industries, played a strong role in delivering this honor to his grandfather.
“We wanted to create captivating visuals so we made a glowing chart of words that represented some of the things my granddad experienced throughout his life from being political prisoner to becoming the first democratically elected president of South Africa,” Kweku tells theGrio.
Bringing inspiration to others
Kweku, along with others, has been working on the project for two years.
“It has been a strong intention to find a new way to connect younger generations with my grandfather’s legacy,” Kweku says.
Mandela inspired others through his actions, but his words arguably shared just as much an influence among his audiences.
Because of this, Kweku and his team recapture the words of Mandela in Midnight Moment: A Digital Gallery – a collaborative effort on behalf of the Times Square Advertising Coalition, Times Square Arts, Tribeca Film Institute and the Nelson Mandela Foundation.
Kweku says they chose a cosmic blue backdrop color to help bring sense of calm to such a bustling area, allowing people to be able to reflect as the words pour on the screen.
“When we this started project, we wanted to do something to make people stop and think,” Kweku says. “We were a little worried about how to create a unique art piece. So I spoke to friends and they came up with this idea and we built it up from there. “
A nod of approval from Nelson Mandela
Kweku says that he showed a beginning draft of the video to his grandfather, who nodded his head in approval.
Mandela, who was recently admitted to the hospital due to a lung infection has since been released and is reportedly recovering well.
“I saw him just before I left to come to New York, he’s in good spirits,” says Kweku. “He went for a routine check-in and had some fluid drained from his lungs but he is doing well and responding well to treatments.”
After receiving a reassuring nod, Kweku and his team completed the video installation, which is tailored to fit the Times Square screens. It will be available for the public to see for a few more days.
Upon witnessing the short film play amidst New York’s lively streets, Kweku says he is proud of this accomplishment.
“I was relieved, it was a long time coming,” Kweku says. “I was happy to share it with my family and friends and having people take a moment to watch a piece on my grandfather’s legacy was an amazing feeling.”
Follow Lilly Workneh @Lilly_Works
