Rob2012 Posted March 17, 2010 Report Share Posted March 17, 2010 2012 Olympic festival to be at centre of cultural celebration around games A 12-week "once-in-a-lifetime" arts festival will form the heart of cultural celebrations surrounding the Olympics with commissions from some of the world's finest artists, according to the new regime now in charge of the UK's Cultural Olympiad. The event is to be called Festival 2012 and will run from midsummer's day, 21 June, until the last day of the Paralympic Games on 9 September. The announcement comes seven weeks after a new artistic team took over the running of the Cultural Olympiad – a series of events to showcase the UK's arts and culture to the world – after frequent complaints that it lacked zip, focus and leadership. The experienced arts manager Ruth Mackenzie is now in charge, answering to a board containing the great and good of the arts world chaired by Tony Hall, chief executive of the Royal Opera House. Hall said: "I have been very much of the view that we need to concentrate on a finale to this thing. The festival will be a showcase and it's going to be amazing." Mackenzie said the festival would aim to define the celebratory mood of the Olympics. She praised the work of the previous two years, but said: "You would expect us to come in and shape, edit, improve and build upon the work. That's our first step and then we commission new material and new ideas and bring our own flavour." Mackenzie said being only seven weeks into the job they were far from naming commissions. But she said it would be work that was "exceptional and surprising" and "that will amaze us all". The new artistic team has £75.5m at its disposal, including £15.6m from the national lottery and £3m from the British Council. Announcements on the Festival 2012 programme are expected in October. Hall and Mackenzie were at pains to say that there were clear lines of accountability, there would not be a repeat of the millennium dome debacle when there was obvious political meddling. Hall, who was appointed chairman last summer, said: "There will be no political interference. If you look at the people on the board we're not going to be told what to do. Artistic leadership, and this is really important, will be with Ruth." Mackenzie also stressed she was in charge. "One might imagine that even the politicians have learned from the millennium dome that you need to have clear artistic leadership." Mackenzie, a former adviser to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, and artistic director of the Chichester Festival, has four part-time cultural advisers working alongside her, including the Manchester International Festival's Alex Poots; former Edinburgh international festival director Sir Brian McMaster; former Nottingham Playhouse artistic director Martin Duncan; and the English National Ballet managing director Craig Hassall. Hassall, who led Sydney's cultural Olympics in 2000, said: "London, I have to say, is particularly organised and I think we're about six months ahead of where we were in Sydney. The building blocks are in place." He said people would be surprised at the encompassing scale of the games. "It is phenomenal. It is really quite extraordinary how it overtakes the city and the country. The torch relay, the ceremonies, the sporting events, the cultural programme – it's all-consuming," he said. "I always sound like a scientologist, but if you haven't experienced it you don't know what I'm talking about … but you will." It was also announced yesterdayon Tuesday that £400,000 is to be given to 10 disabled arts commissions for the Cultural Olympiad. http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/mar/17/olympics-culture-festival-showcase-arts Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Tower Bridge Fox Posted March 17, 2010 Report Share Posted March 17, 2010 This all sounds good to me, we haven’t heard any one talk about not leting politicians push them about for some time now. The last person to say she would keep the politicians at bay was Barbra Cassorni and look what happened to her, Jude Kelly never seemed to come up with any coherent cultural statements, and the friend ship was a just load of New Labour clap trap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Tickle Posted March 29, 2010 Report Share Posted March 29, 2010 London set to unveil 2012 Olympics plans Mayor of London Boris Johnson wants London to be the "epicentre of fun in the universe" during the 2012 Olympics Johnson will tell the Olympic Board on Monday about plans for concerts stages, big screens and a pedestrian area, centred around Trafalgar Square. Of the £9.32bn Olympic budget, £32m has been allocated for the "look and feel" of London away from the Olympic Park. "People will hugely enjoy it and for those who don't enjoy it, it'll all be over in a flash," predicted Johnson. The four main live sites will feature concert stages and big screens and will be situated in Hyde Park with a capacity of 50,000, Victoria Park (40,000), Jubilee Gardens (8,000) and Potter's Gate (4,500). http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/olympic_games/london_2012/8590863.stm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob2012 Posted March 29, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 29, 2010 "...a substantial amount of money will be spent on linking Trafalgar Square, Covent Garden and Leicester Square into a huge pedestrian area. Johnson's plans will also include details of how the city will be dressed with flags, iconic imagery, and colour schemes, and how the Cultural Olympiad - the festival of arts which accompanies the games - will be integrated into the city." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4gamesandcounting Posted March 29, 2010 Report Share Posted March 29, 2010 Some great plans - glad they are picking up on the postives from Sydney and Vancouver here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Posted March 29, 2010 Report Share Posted March 29, 2010 This thread just makes me smile (all except for the name Boris) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevzz Posted March 31, 2010 Report Share Posted March 31, 2010 London set to unveil 2012 Olympics plans Mayor of London Boris Johnson wants London to be the "epicentre of fun in the universe" during the 2012 Olympics Johnson will tell the Olympic Board on Monday about plans for concerts stages, big screens and a pedestrian area, centred around Trafalgar Square. Of the £9.32bn Olympic budget, £32m has been allocated for the "look and feel" of London away from the Olympic Park. "People will hugely enjoy it and for those who don't enjoy it, it'll all be over in a flash," predicted Johnson. The four main live sites will feature concert stages and big screens and will be situated in Hyde Park with a capacity of 50,000, Victoria Park (40,000), Jubilee Gardens (8,000) and Potter's Gate (4,500). http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/olympic_games/london_2012/8590863.stm Bit disappointed the main live sites is not in Trafalfar Sq. It seems a much more iconic and vibrant choice compared to Hyde Park. Then again, maybe prob Tra Sq cant offer as much space as they can in Hyde Park. Still not a bad choice in the end! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Tickle Posted March 31, 2010 Report Share Posted March 31, 2010 Its quite limited for space and with the traffic. Trafalgar square is gonna part of an avenue of celebration though to Leicester square and covent garden, dressed in the look of the games. Its still gonna be at the heart of the games. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevzz Posted March 31, 2010 Report Share Posted March 31, 2010 Its quite limited for space and with the traffic. Trafalgar square is gonna part of an avenue of celebration though to Leicester square and covent garden, dressed in the look of the games. Its still gonna be at the heart of the games. Hope they will shut the traffic from the mall to trafalgar sq, charing cross rd to leicester sq and cov garden. Then its really like a street party for 2 weeks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
its a bid of magic Posted March 31, 2010 Report Share Posted March 31, 2010 I might not get to see any of the London 2012 Olymic events, but I am going to try and visit the City during the games. I savoured the atmosphere of Manchester's Commonwealth Games in my own backyard (not quite, but near enough) and it reeled you in, even if you weren't a big sport fan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob2012 Posted May 18, 2010 Author Report Share Posted May 18, 2010 Wasn't sure where else to post this, but this looks like a great scheme: London's Cultural Olympiad starts search for new music The search for original pieces of music is to become the focus of the London 2012 Olympic Games arts programme. New Music 20x12 hopes to discover 20 new works in any musical style, each lasting 12 minutes, to be part of the Cultural Olympiad. They will then be broadcast on BBC Radio 3 and may also feature at official events linked to the London Olympic Games. The work, from a UK-based composer, must be submitted by 1 October. Each piece will premiere in 2012 and receive at least two additional performances. The chosen composers, ensembles, festivals, music organisations or musicians will also get financial support and help with professional development. A panel of experts chaired by Roger Wright, controller of BBC Radio 3 and director of the BBC Proms, will then cut the entrants down to a top 20. Cultural Olympiad director Ruth Mackenzie described New Music 20x12 as "a wonderful opportunity for composers and audiences to celebrate 2012 together". Mr Wright said: "Projects such as New Music 20x12 will showcase the exceptional talent and creativity of the UK's musical community, and we're delighted to be able to support them on BBC Radio 3." It is the brainchild of private patrons David Cohen and Jillian Barker and is backed by funding body the PRS for Music Foundation in partnership with the BBC, London 2012 and Sound and Music. Link Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Tower Bridge Fox Posted May 18, 2010 Report Share Posted May 18, 2010 Wasn't sure where else to post this, but this looks like a great scheme: London's Cultural Olympiad starts search for new music The search for original pieces of music is to become the focus of the London 2012 Olympic Games arts programme. New Music 20x12 hopes to discover 20 new works in any musical style, each lasting 12 minutes, to be part of the Cultural Olympiad. They will then be broadcast on BBC Radio 3 and may also feature at official events linked to the London Olympic Games. The work, from a UK-based composer, must be submitted by 1 October. Each piece will premiere in 2012 and receive at least two additional performances. The chosen composers, ensembles, festivals, music organisations or musicians will also get financial support and help with professional development. A panel of experts chaired by Roger Wright, controller of BBC Radio 3 and director of the BBC Proms, will then cut the entrants down to a top 20. Cultural Olympiad director Ruth Mackenzie described New Music 20x12 as "a wonderful opportunity for composers and audiences to celebrate 2012 together". Mr Wright said: "Projects such as New Music 20x12 will showcase the exceptional talent and creativity of the UK's musical community, and we're delighted to be able to support them on BBC Radio 3." It is the brainchild of private patrons David Cohen and Jillian Barker and is backed by funding body the PRS for Music Foundation in partnership with the BBC, London 2012 and Sound and Music. Link It sound like its not an open call for submissions from individual composers. just the offer of funding suport to organisations that already commission music.ie the repackaging of what we would have been served up with any way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenaugust7 Posted May 19, 2010 Report Share Posted May 19, 2010 Few days ago only I returned from London and I was really impressed by the work under going construction for Olympics 2012. And the thing I loved there was the architecture preservation merging with the modern implementation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Tickle Posted December 7, 2010 Report Share Posted December 7, 2010 A new Opera by Damon Alban and Jammie Hewlett just one of the highlights of the first commissions for festival 2012. http://www.london2012.com/news/2010/12/leading-international-artists-head-up-first-commissions-.php Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Tower Bridge Fox Posted December 7, 2010 Report Share Posted December 7, 2010 "I loved there was the architecture preservation merging with the modern implementation". I agree its an interesting area and they haven’t wrecked it, a lot of people will be surprised with they visit the Olympics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Tickle Posted October 27, 2011 Report Share Posted October 27, 2011 BT River of Music welcomes the world to London Half a million people will have a free London 2012 experience next summer. The London 2012 Festival, Serious and BT today announced BT River of Music – two days of music events that will take place on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 July 2012, the weekend before the Olympic Games open, with BT confirmed as title sponsor. BT River of Music will offer music lovers of all ages and backgrounds the opportunity to take part in celebrating the build up to the London 2012 Games, with free access to events over the weekend. BT River of Music is an international event featuring outstanding music from all over the world plus emerging British talent. Six stages represent the continents – Asia in Battersea Park, Africa in Jubilee Gardens, Europe in Trafalgar Square and Somerset House, the Americas at the Tower of London, and Oceania in the Greenwich Old Royal Naval College. The rich variety of music over the weekend will include well-known names and unexpected collaboration http://www.london2012.com/press/media-releases/2011/10/bt-river-of-music-welcomes-the-world-to-london.php Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Tickle Posted October 31, 2011 Report Share Posted October 31, 2011 Artists to join 2012 celebration Hundreds of international artists are to take part in a festival inspired by the cultural work of Pierre de Coubertin, founder of the modern Olympic movement, as part of celebrations for the London 2012 Games. The 21-acre riverside setting of London's Southbank Centre will stage the Festival of the World from June 1 2012, the Diamond Jubilee weekend, through to the last day of the Paralympics on September 9. http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5jKMqIvgR-1b3fIaiRSlXbVKwy2YA?docId=B37807841320065692A00000 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Tickle Posted November 4, 2011 Report Share Posted November 4, 2011 OOOh new Festival 2012 Website http://festival.london2012.com/ and the official 2012 Olympic Posters are launched at 1pm woo hoo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Tickle Posted November 4, 2011 Report Share Posted November 4, 2011 I love the festival branding this website is so cool the branding stays and the page moves like its 3D. I will be ringing my bells http://www.allthebells.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Tickle Posted November 4, 2011 Report Share Posted November 4, 2011 Here they are Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Tickle Posted November 4, 2011 Report Share Posted November 4, 2011 Looks like posters will be the best bet the Limited Edition prints start at £390 and go up to £950!!!!!! I think the posters are £7 all go on sale at 3pm today Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Citizen-Seth Posted November 4, 2011 Report Share Posted November 4, 2011 Great posters. Probably the best artistic set since Sydney. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob2012 Posted November 4, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 4, 2011 There are more than just those Davey posted, 12 in all. They can be seen here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/culture/gallery/2011/nov/04/olympics-2012-posters-in-pictures LIKES Creed - a striking artwork using muted Olympic colours whose description adds to its impact (often pretentious blurbs put me off espeically if they feel like they're added afterwards but I love the podium idea here). Whiteread - fun, full of movement and so obviously Olympic. Hodgkin - probably didn't take long but a brave statement for such a commission. You can almost see a human figure in there too. Quite simply, it works. DISLIKES Emin - gushy, scribbled nonsense. Riley - unconvincing, bland and unlike the Creed which feels thought out, the blurb here feels like it was added afterwards just to force it into its little Olympic box. Ofili - just think it's a horrible drawing, sorry. The rest somewhere in between. So, I think the IOC should choose the Creed as the official Olympic Poster, and the Banner as the official Paralympic one. Be interested to know which ones other people like and don't like, and which you think should be chosen as the two official posters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faster Posted November 4, 2011 Report Share Posted November 4, 2011 I like Swimming and lOndOn 2012. The others are meh. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Citizen-Seth Posted November 4, 2011 Report Share Posted November 4, 2011 Ofili, Banner, Smith, Hodgkin, and Morris are my faves, but I don't think theres a weak one in the bunch. I doubt the official poster will come from these, though. The official posters are usually commissioned separately from the arts series. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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