Mr Tickle Posted October 25, 2009 Report Posted October 25, 2009 London 2012: new Olympics structure would 'rival Eiffel Tower' A £15 million monument at London’s Olympic park is to be constructed under plans from Boris Johnson, the capital’s mayor, to rival the Eiffel Tower in Paris. The mayor is said to have described the plans as "stunning". The structure would be built at the Stratford, east London site and be funded by Lakshmi Mittal, Britain’s richest man. One early design shows a 400ft construction that resembles a cross between a Native American totem pole and a pylon, reports suggested. The structure, part of a cultural programme planned to celebrate the 2012 Olympics, would be lit at night and powered by solar panels. It is understood that five shortlisted artists, including the former Turner prize winner Anish Kapoor and Antony Gormley, the designer of the Angel of the North, are being considered by a panel to be commissioned for the work. Despite the mayor previously pledging in his mayoral manifesto to crack down on tall buildings, describing London’s skyline as “precious”, sources say the project would be “stunning”. A source close to Mr Johnson reportedly said: “He wants to build something quite stunning in its ambition, like the Eiffel Tower or the Statue of Liberty — a tribute to London that people will fall in love with.” A friend Mr Mittal, 59, added: “He loves living in London and wants to give something back to the city. “The Olympics are obviously a very important event and he wants to be able to contribute to a legacy project that people will be able to enjoy for many years to come.” Critics, however, said the project was likely to be compared with the “wedding cake” that Mussolini completed in Rome or the 250ft gold statue that was commissioned by Saparmurat Niyazov, a former Turkmen dictator, to rotate to face the sun. Brian Sewell, the art critic, Britain was already “littered with public art of absolutely no merit”. “We are entering a new period of fascist gigantism. These are monuments to egos and you couldn't find a more monumental ego than Boris.” A spokesman for Mr Johnson told the Sunday Times: “The mayor is keen to see stunning, ambitious, world-class art in the Olympic Park and has been working with the Olympic Delivery Authority over many months to explore a series of commissioning projects. “He is also in touch with prominent figures in the art establishment and philanthropists about taking these forward and getting private backing. “This work is at an early stage and details will be announced when the projects are confirmed.” The winning sculpture is likely to be announced within the next fortnight
4gamesandcounting Posted October 25, 2009 Report Posted October 25, 2009 I think this is great news - The Olympic Park will really benefit from it - I'm really pleased.
Rob2012 Posted October 25, 2009 Report Posted October 25, 2009 Hmmm, I don't much like the idea of a tall strcuture overshadowing the cauldron tower by the stadium which ought to be the centrepiece of the park, towering over everything else. Perhaps after the Games, during the transformation of the park, there's an argument for this, but I'm not convinced at the moment.
4gamesandcounting Posted October 25, 2009 Report Posted October 25, 2009 Hmmm, I don't much like the idea of a tall strcuture overshadowing the cauldron tower by the stadium which ought to be the centrepiece of the park, towering over everything else.Perhaps after the Games, during the transformation of the park, there's an argument for this, but I'm not convinced at the moment. Not necessarily overshadowing. It'll just add to the atmosphere at the Olympic park. Take the Ling Long pagoda in Beijing which looked great.
Rob2012 Posted October 25, 2009 Report Posted October 25, 2009 Maybe, but London will have a cauldron tower rather than the cauldron on the roof of the stadium. I don't know if the dynamics or symbolism would be right if it gets dwarfed by a larger tower structure. Imagine the camera panning out on the stadium, with the magnificent cauldron tower next to it, then it pans out further and the cauldron tower is made to look small and insignificant by Boris' newest project which is similarly shaped and proportioned? Nah, not convinced by this at all.
baron-pierreIV Posted October 25, 2009 Report Posted October 25, 2009 Yikes!! WHy don't they put that in the middle of the Stonehenge circle? I think it would fit there more.
Stu Posted October 25, 2009 Report Posted October 25, 2009 This looks like Christmas has come early to London's Olympic Park ..... or did they forget to take down one of the electricity pylons? I'm all for Anish Kapoor designing something though - his current exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts is spectacular!
Mr Tickle Posted October 25, 2009 Author Report Posted October 25, 2009 This is just one proposal, I aint a fan I have to say, not of this design anyways.
oakydoky Posted October 25, 2009 Report Posted October 25, 2009 I'm not a fan either. I think it looks hideous. Something more sculptural would be more aesthetically pleasing in my opinion. Here's a sculpture Santiago Calatrava designed for Barcelona 1992: Or even a giant land sculpture: Here's something I think would look cool in the park: Sculpture by Zaha Hadid:
4gamesandcounting Posted October 25, 2009 Report Posted October 25, 2009 Idea great - that render just looks like an electricty pylon. Love the idea though
oakydoky Posted October 25, 2009 Report Posted October 25, 2009 Idea great - that render just looks like an electricty pylon. Love the idea though I like the fact that something grand is being planned with a lot of ambition. Let's all be honest - TV audiences at home will not know the back story of the Olympic stadium etc so a little bit of grandeur in other things which can create impact on TV will be good for London. I'll wait to see the other proposals first before I cast my critical eye. lol.
Mr Tickle Posted October 25, 2009 Author Report Posted October 25, 2009 I'd like to see what Gormley comes up with : )
oakydoky Posted October 25, 2009 Report Posted October 25, 2009 I'd like to see what Gormley comes up with : ) Me too. I'm a fan of his beach figures so something from him will be pretty cool. Gormley also has this project 'brick man' which he wants to build but does not have the funds. I think something like that would be amazing and symbolic in the park.
Rob2012 Posted October 25, 2009 Report Posted October 25, 2009 I like the fact that something grand is being planned with a lot of ambition. Let's all be honest - TV audiences at home will not know the back story of the Olympic stadium etc so a little bit of grandeur in other things which can create impact on TV will be good for London. Absoltely, why not put all this effort towards the cauldron tower itself then? Make that a lasting monument to the park that we can be proud of. Surely that's a better reminder than anything else that an Olympics took place, which is what the aim of this project supposedly is?
oakydoky Posted October 25, 2009 Report Posted October 25, 2009 Absoltely, why not put all this effort towards the cauldron tower itself then? Make that a lasting monument to the park that we can be proud of. Surely that's a better reminder than anything else that an Olympics took place, which is what the aim of this project supposedly is? Is it absolutely certain there will be a cauldron tower? If so then I can absolutely see how two towers competing for limelight could ultimately be a negative.
Rob2012 Posted October 25, 2009 Report Posted October 25, 2009 Yes, almost certain: http://www.gamesbids.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=12089
Mr Tickle Posted October 25, 2009 Author Report Posted October 25, 2009 Erm, I just noticed something. Wheres the bridge gone? It won a competition a few years back, has it been shelved to be replaced by this new structure?
oakydoky Posted October 25, 2009 Report Posted October 25, 2009 Well if the cauldron is a tower then a more public sculpture might be more appropriate. On the previous page I posted the Zaha Hadid sculpture. Imagine large versions of them dotted around the park for people to sit in and meet and have pic-nics in. Public gathering spaces.
oakydoky Posted October 25, 2009 Report Posted October 25, 2009 Erm, I just noticed something. Wheres the bridge gone? It won a competition a few years back, has it been shelved to be replaced by this new structure? I noticed that too but thought it was just a crude render meant foe idea illustration. I don't think the bridge idea has been shelved - it was a fairly big competition won by Hennegan Peng? I think.
Rob2012 Posted October 25, 2009 Report Posted October 25, 2009 Erm, I just noticed something. Wheres the bridge gone? It won a competition a few years back, has it been shelved to be replaced by this new structure? That's still being built I believe. Either that render is wrong, or the tower isn't to be built until after the games; the article isn't clear.
4gamesandcounting Posted October 25, 2009 Report Posted October 25, 2009 Are we ruling out this structure actually being the cauldron tower...?!
NY20?? Posted October 25, 2009 Report Posted October 25, 2009 Yes, almost certain:http://www.gamesbids.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=12089 Hmmm, I'm not sure if it's that certain. From DarJole's report - "there is still no specific plans for the location or design of the torch/cauldron/flame." Also, from an interview with Ian Crockford from the ODA this past summer - "He still doesn't know whether the Olympic flame will be in or out - but he has already built in enough structural load to take a 150m-high tower along with gas pipes in case LOCOG, the company that will actually run the Games, decides that is what it wants." I'm assuming they don't want to plan anything definite yet as the Ceremonies still to have be planned and organized. In the meantime, they want to make sure all their options (like a tower outside) will be feasible, hence those planning docs..
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