UCL Conservation student describes experience at the opening of London 2012

Lopez Bravo and Sir Chris Hoy
 at the opening of the London 2012
ceremony, directed by Danny Boyle

Rafael Lopez Bravo (UCL MSc Conservation for Archaeology and Museums) describes his contribution to the opening ceremony for London 2012.
Rafael was invited to participate in the once-in-a lifetime experience and joined the section of the opening ceremony, directed by Danny Boyle, entitled 'Pandaemonium' and representing the Industrial Revolution. Rafael played a coal miner, the role involving the change of scenery from a green, country landscape to an industrial town. The change of set was part of the show, so it had to look organised; participants having to learn choreography to pretend that they were working in a factory and moving like soldiers or robots. 

Lopez Bravo and his team

Rafael was invited to participate in the once-in-a lifetime experience and joined the section of the 

opening ceremony directed by Danny Boyle, entitled Pandaemonium and representing the Industrial Revolution. Rafael played a coal miner, the role involving the change of scenery from a green, country landscape to an industrial town. The change of set was part of the show, so it had to look organised; participants having to learn choreography to pretend that they were working in a factory and moving like soldiers or robots.

Rafael, who undertook the MA in Principles of Conservation at the Institute in advance of his MSc, is originally from Puebla, Mexico. He says that he grabbed the opportunity to experience the multicultural taste of London and never looked back!

"What kept me going was the team spirit and the fact that the event organisers always made us feel that we were part of the team and our participation was essential to the show. I shall never forget that day: the way to the stadium, the wait for the start of the show, and the cheering of the participants and audience. That night, the UK welcomed the world into its home and each of us contributed to that event - and I was proud to be part of that!"

Rafael is now entering the second year of his MSc programme at the UCL Institute of Archaeology, which will involve internships at both the Wallace Collection, London and Plowden & Smith. Internships provide supervised work experience in the ‘real world’ of a museum or similar institution and are chosen and structured with each individual student in mind to enable them to gain a range of relevant experience.

See more on the UCL Institute of Archaeology page