Part 1 of six vignettes (a two part trilogy) each entitled - day, night, people, filmed from November 2008 to November 2009 and over a twelve-month period exploring the relationship between the old and the new as regards architecture and its relationship with the River Thames. Since so many buildings - and so much history - either border, or are in close proximity to The Thames, constituting the very fabric of London's river vista, it was Hole In The Wall's premise to explore such a rich architectural heritage in an individual, filmic, ambient fashion and in so doing endeavour to re-interpret their meaning and form.
As the title suggests we began filming at the O2 Arena (formerly known as The Dome) now one of the largest music venues in Europe, which is part of the Docklands development, soon to be developed further for the 2012 Olympics. Thence moving down the river (hence CO2) via Canary Wharf and Blackfriars and ultimately ending up on the South Bank, a complex of buildings which has remained part of the architectural 'new wave' ever since its inception in 1951.
The opening film - 02:2:CO2 day 1 - of the first trilogy begins at the 02 Arena. When viewed from above the 02 Arena is an interesting structure in that it stands as a sentinel with its roof (the dome) and supports being reminiscent of a ship's sails and mastings billowing forth across the river. This was interpreted by the poet EP Russell (whose work is featured in all the films) as a galleon about to set forth for the New World. Which in turn inspired the opening, as though about to venture on an ocean journey, relating specifically to the river's long history of having been the principal arterial vein of exploration and commercial seafaring.