The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) today announced that Martin Richman and Jason Bruges Studio have been selected as the winning artists for the first in a series of arts commissions in the Olympic Park that will celebrate and commemorate London 2012.
The first arts commission launched by the ODA in July identified a series of new bridges and underpasses to be constructed in the Olympic Park for artists to develop integrated artwork proposals that both celebrated and/or commemorated London 2012. This first commission is part of the overall masterplan to create a new public park that will be enjoyed by future generations and follows the wider Olympic Park plans unveiled by the ODA last month that will combine centuries of British park design with ground-breaking green technology to create a ‘new Hyde Park for east London’.
Following expressions of interest from more than 250 artists, eight artists were shortlisted to submit their initial artwork proposals for the bridges and underpasses commission. The proposals were assessed by a wide group including Tate Director Sir Nicholas Serota, the ODA’s Principal Design Advisor Ricky Burdett and Louise Trodden, Head of Art in the Open before two artists were selected for the commission:
Martin Richman
Hackney-based Martin Richman’s concepts focus on commemorating London 2012. The artists were inspired by Olympic imagery with their initial artwork concept focussed on incorporating recognisable and visually bold graphics and materials on the bridge structure and within the underpasses.
Jason Bruges Studio
Tower Hamlets-based Jason Bruges Studio focused on celebrating London 2012 and were inspired by the achievements of Olympic and Paralympic champions. Their artwork concepts focused on the use of audio, light and tactile elements across the bridge structure to represent the speed and movement of Olympic and Paralympic athletes.
The two artists, who both have established reputations for their art, will now work with the ODA and its bridge designers to further develop their initial artwork concepts and embed them in the final design and construction of specified bridges and underpasses in the Olympic Park.
ODA Chief Executive David Higgins said: 'It is essential that the designs and artwork of the new bridges and underpasses we are building create a lasting memory of the 2012 Games while inspiring the new communities that will use the Olympic Park in legacy.
'We have selected two hugely talented artists for this commission and their winning artwork proposals offer an exciting glimpse of how we can bring to life the bridges and underpasses in the Olympic Park for the 2012 Games and for generations to come. I look forward to seeing their artwork proposals develop and take shape as the new bridges and underpasses are constructed.'
Chief Executive of the London 2012 Organising Committee, Paul Deighton said: 'We have always said the 2012 Games are everyone’s Games and through this public realm art project, the ODA has engaged over 250 artists. The two winners will contribute significantly to the development of a world-class Park, not just for Games-time but also for legacy.'
London Mayor Boris Johnson, who is a keen advocate for the Olympic Park art commissions scheme, said: 'As well as better transport, infrastructure and environment and helping to regenerate East London, I'm determined that the 2012 Games should also leave a cultural and artistic legacy. These art commissions and the recently announced landscape garden will help create an outstanding public park to be enjoyed by future generations long after the Games have finished, and will play a key role in ensuring the Olympic Park celebrates the world-class culture and creativity that London is renowned for.'
Jules Pipe, Mayor of Hackney and portfolio holder for culture for the five Host Boroughs commented: 'The two successful artists are based within the five Host Boroughs and are part of the vibrant and extensive cultural community working here. We continue to promote the importance of a cultural legacy and hopefully this commission will just be the start of things to come.'
Details about the winning artists, Martin Richman and Jason Bruges Studio are available on their websites at:
http://www.martinrichman.com/http://www.jasonbruges.com/Notes to editors:
Images of the shortlisted artists’ concept artwork submissions can be downloaded at
http://mm.gettyimages.com/mm/nicePath/locog?nav=pr119565321
The timeline of activity in the bridges and underpasses arts commission is:
- December 2008 – February 2009: Martin Richman and Jason Bruges Studio work with ODA and bridge designers Allies & Morrison to further develop their artwork concept designs
- February – April 2009: Detailed design work takes place
- Late 2009: artwork proposals installed on bridges and underpasses during construction phase
– Ends –
The construction of the venues and infrastructure of the London 2012 Games is funded by the National Lottery through the Olympic Lottery Distributor, The Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the Mayor of London and the London Development Agency.
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