EMEA Quick Takes | July/August 2021
Seizing a Giant Opportunity
A bold plan to roll out The Giant, billed as one of the world’s tallest moving sculptures, is gaining momentum. Paddy Dunning, managing director of The Giant Company in Dublin, Ireland, predicts the first Giant will open in 2022, most likely in the Middle East, with Dubai and Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, as possible sites. “The Giant can be a giant talking point and celebrate human potential,” says Dunning.
The Giant Company has embarked on a selection process to find 21 sites in 21 cities in 2021 with the help of real estate firm CBRE and global public relations agency FleishmanHillard.
The innovative concept allows visitors to stand on the shoulders of giants, literally. The Giant is a huge, human-shaped viewing tower, at least 120 feet or 10 stories high. The figure’s head and arms move, and it can speak and sing. The Giant is a digital canvas, morphing into different people through a patented skin made up of millions of programmable LED pixels.
“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,” says Dunning. “We envision The Giant as an adjunct to new urban redevelopment projects, stadiums, arenas, shopping centers, museums, and other locations. It’s an iconic, civic landmark.”
Visitors can also scan themselves (in a pod on-site or remotely from home) and see themselves transformed into giants. “It’s an inspirational and motivational experience. We want to awaken the giant within,” says Dunning. “We can do 240 selfies an hour based on 15 seconds for each image and video message.”
The Giant Company has built in several revenue streams, from admissions to giant selfies, advertising, corporate events, food and beverage, and education programs. The Giant requires a minimum footprint of 10,000 square feet and can be a permanent or temporary structure. It holds around 1,000 people at any one time. Each Giant will cost 15-20 million euros to develop.
Tivoli Tempts with Gourmet Tastes in Denmark
Adventurous culinary experiences are on the menu at Tivoli in Copenhagen, Denmark, this summer. Guests will be treated to memorable meals and modern food trends with new pop-up restaurants from two Michelin-starred restaurants. Restaurant AOC from Copenhagen welcomes guests in Tivoli’s Japanese Tower, followed by KOKS from the Faroe Islands, known for its flavors of the sea. Guests will get an insight into the distinctive philosophies and styles of both kitchens. Tivoli is also adding a new seafood bistro called Figaro and burgers from the U.S.-inspired Gasoline Grill chain.
