Rio 2016 Olympic Cauldron

[Olympian2004 511]

I know, I know - didn't want to play that down. So were you guys following these boards all the time, or only in the past few months, weeks or days? If you hang around already during our London cauldron discussion in 2012, you must have been quite entertained, too.

[Buddy_LeChat 11]

To be honest, I was not working for Show Canada yet in 2012 and discovered your forums when rumors of "leaks" were being discussed at the office. I simple "Google" search brought me here and I lurked until the Opening Ceremony was completed.

The place here is quite entertaining and I was surprised to discover that so many people were interested in these events.

Next big event would be Baku this coming Spring... And then Korea in 2018. We don't know yet if we will get involved but if yes... I'll be following the action going here.

[paul 616]

17 hours ago, Anthony Howe said:

Hey guys. A big thanks for all the very astute and entertaining comments!

Cheers, Anthony

This must have been an incredible experience for you to be asked to design the Olympic cauldron. Congratulations on your achievement. We like to pick everything Olympic apart to view the guts and debate it's concept and measure it to what came before and what was promised. The sculptures are unique, and it sounds like a miracle was done in delivering the project on a strict schedule (that's life right). You and Buddy and the team are a part of history.

In a video we saw of the making of the sculpture there were a couple other concept graphics that showed the sculpture positioned flat, that looked fantastic...any personal thought you can share on those concepts? I guess vertically it represents the sun better but those images of the flat sculpture dancing around the base of the flame looked amazing.

Hope you will pop in again, cheers.

[paul 616]

@Buddy_LeChat

...can NOT believe the timeline you delivered this on........INCREDIBLE. Wish you had the chance to build a huge one for their outdoor permanent cauldron. Also thinking that chrome finish outdoors is going to be tough to maintain in their climate, would hate to be in charge of that thing on the go forward. I heard it creaking when they started it up....maybe that's normal but was reaching for my WD40.

[yoshi 330]

Forgive my thickness but what's happening in Baku next spring?

[Buddy_LeChat 11]

1 hour ago, paul said:

@Buddy_LeChat

...can NOT believe the timeline you delivered this on........INCREDIBLE.

It was quite a challenge but hats off to my team of engineers, drafters, mechanics, welders and all. They are great and one of the reason I get out of bed every morning.

@yoshi

http://www.baku2017.com/

 

[Anthony Howe 20]

2 hours ago, paul said:

This must have been an incredible experience for you to be asked to design the Olympic cauldron. Congratulations on your achievement. We like to pick everything Olympic apart to view the guts and debate it's concept and measure it to what came before and what was promised. The sculptures are unique, and it sounds like a miracle was done in delivering the project on a strict schedule (that's life right). You and Buddy and the team are a part of history.

In a video we saw of the making of the sculpture there were a couple other concept graphics that showed the sculpture positioned flat, that looked fantastic...any personal thought you can share on those concepts? I guess vertically it represents the sun better but those images of the flat sculpture dancing around the base of the flame looked amazing.

Hope you will pop in again, cheers.

The first things I designed for them were all horizontal. But incorporating the gas aspects were deemed to be too problematic. Blackening of the parts, etc. I even made a prototype. And they also wanted to minimize the usage of fossil fuels. Fernando settled on a more radical design until he went to the Geneva Global warming conference and then moved to the sun concept. Thanks!

[kevzz 146]

Where is the Olympic flame???

I didn't see the cauldron or any flame in the athletic stadium. Is the cauldron only to make one appearance in the opening ceremony? This is such a break from tradition it's unforgivable. One very big #RIOPROBLEMS. Rio is turning into a real farce. Don't even get my started with all the empty seats, made me super crossed. 

[kevzz 146]

1 hour ago, Anthony Howe said:

The first things I designed for them were all horizontal. But incorporating the gas aspects were deemed to be too problematic. Blackening of the parts, etc. I even made a prototype. And they also wanted to minimize the usage of fossil fuels. Fernando settled on a more radical design until he went to the Geneva Global warming conference and then moved to the sun concept. Thanks!

Minimise what fossil fuel?? The cauldron literally burnt for like 10 mins in the opening ceremony and never be seen again. 

[baron-pierreIV 1690]

@Anthony Howe .  Didn't you push for a more bombastic design -- as the cauldron to end ALL Olympic cauldrons?   We love the more environmentally irresponsible creations here!!  

[JMarkSnow2012 385]

1 hour ago, kevzz said:

Where is the Olympic flame???

I didn't see the cauldron or any flame in the athletic stadium. Is the cauldron only to make one appearance in the opening ceremony? This is such a break from tradition it's unforgivable. One very big #RIOPROBLEMS. Rio is turning into a real farce. Don't even get my started with all the empty seats, made me super crossed. 

The Olympic flame is in an outdoor cauldron, using a smaller, wind-powered kinetic sculpture as backing, in a very popular site between the Candelaria Church and the waterfront.

[Anthony Howe 20]

Time and a place for everything. Fernando and Daniela and Andrucha, the creative directors, had a grand concept in their minds for the ceremony. It would not be appropriate for me to push an agenda that was not aligned with theirs, no matter how good the design. So I was very happy to be able to supply them with something they liked.Thanks!

 

[Sir Rols 1899]

2 minutes ago, JMarkSnow2012 said:

The Olympic flame is in an outdoor cauldron, using a smaller, wind-powered kinetic sculpture as backing, in a very popular site between the Candelaria Church and the waterfront.

And I can live with that. At least it's in a location where anyone can see it. It's an important icon that visitors want to see and want to photograph or be photographed with. I actually think that's a better location than London's, which, while in the Oympic stadium as per tradition, was not viewable by anyone unless you had tickets to enter that stadium.

[JMarkSnow2012 385]

2 minutes ago, Sir Rols said:

And I can live with that. At least it's in a location where anyone can see it. It's an important icon that visitors want to see and want to photograph or be photographed with. I actually think that's a better location than London's, which, while in the Oympic stadium as per tradition, was not viewable by anyone unless you had tickets to enter that stadium.

Yes, that was the IOC's feeling too. I think if the London stadium had just been designed with some sort of hole through which the cauldron could be seen, that would have improved it (but of course when it was designed, everybody was thinking in terms of a structure up on the roof, having forgotten the elegance of designs like Berlin, where the stadium had a sort of notch for the cauldron).

[kevzz 146]

12 minutes ago, JMarkSnow2012 said:

The Olympic flame is in an outdoor cauldron, using a smaller, wind-powered kinetic sculpture as backing, in a very popular site between the Candelaria Church and the waterfront.

I'm afraid that's not good enough. It is important for billions of TV audience to see the cauldron than few thousands people downtown. It is the symbol of the Games. The athletics events felt lacking something without the flame. Even though London's cauldron is small at least it is still visible in the stadium. I miss those pre-London giant over the stadium cauldron. Hope Tokyo will bring it back and no more these 'innovative' cauldron ideas. 

[neneu10 327]

1 hour ago, kevzz said:

Where is the Olympic flame???

I didn't see the cauldron or any flame in the athletic stadium. Is the cauldron only to make one appearance in the opening ceremony? This is such a break from tradition it's unforgivable. One very big #RIOPROBLEMS. Rio is turning into a real farce. Don't even get my started with all the empty seats, made me super crossed. 

https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/piraolimpica/

 

[kevzz 146]

Just now, neneu10 said:

https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/piraolimpica/

 

It's all nice and pretty, don't mind having one downtown as long as you have ONE main cauldron in the stadium. Simple. 

[baron-pierreIV 1690]

Best rejected concept for the 2016 cauldron.... starting at 2:09!  Imagine Gisele and Vanderlie going at it!! 

 

Edited August 13, 2016 by baron-pierreIV

[paul 616]

Amazing having Mr. Howe and Buddy contribute to the cauldron thread, I appreciate it so much guys. It's so cool to learn a little more about this important part of the Rio project from the the folks who made it happen. Of course we will always pick apart all the details and analyze how the Rio team chose use and display the cauldron(s) but knowing just a bit more about the actual work is fascination and insightful.

I wonder how the stadium cauldron will be used in the closing and Paralympic ceremony and where it will ultimately reside after the games? Perhaps a museum.

[cubebox 31]

Hi there guys. 

Just came back last night from Rio. Such an incredible experiencie.

And for this topic, despite it was insanely crowded, seeing the cauldron and the olympic flame in front of me was such a memorable moment. For me, a simply guy who love sports, this meant so much. It was not a ginormous cauldron, but it was beautiful and inspiring.

(and of course I have my picture with the cauldron behind hehehe)

[JMarkSnow2012 385]

23 hours ago, kevzz said:

It is important for billions of TV audience to see the cauldron than few thousands people downtown. It is the symbol of the Games. The athletics events felt lacking something without the flame. Even though London's cauldron is small at least it is still visible in the stadium. I miss those pre-London giant over the stadium cauldron. Hope Tokyo will bring it back and no more these 'innovative' cauldron ideas. 

That, however, is not what the IOC's Coordination Commission recommended following their criticism of the London cauldron siting:

Quote

The cauldron should be placed in a way that allows most visitors and fans to take photos.

Nothing about TV there, and Rio obeyed them to the letter. Given that the ceremonial stadium was not the track & field stadium, and given that the T & F stadium is not in the main Olympic Park, Rio probably could not have done anything other than what they have done without ignoring the CoCom recommendation.

 

[neneu10 327]

[neneu10 327]

[Anthony Howe 20]

It looks as though the "cauldron" has been removed from it's tracks and winched up higher next to the roof line. I like how it looks up there. I have asked Buddy if they ever let it spin.

 It will be used for the Paraolympics but in what capacity I do not know. I do know they only have twelve hours following a soccer game to get ready for the main closing ceremony. Thanks!

[JMarkSnow2012 385]

14 hours ago, Anthony Howe said:

It looks as though the "cauldron" has been removed from it's tracks and winched up higher next to the roof line. I like how it looks up there. I have asked Buddy if they ever let it spin.

 It will be used for the Paraolympics but in what capacity I do not know. I do know they only have twelve hours following a soccer game to get ready for the main closing ceremony. Thanks!

Except I don't see any bowl of fire on those latest photos.

I wonder if they'll add it somehow during the soccer games, or it will just reappear for the closing ceremony, supported on the raised ladder of a fire-truck ?

Actually, the whole concept of getting the stadium ready to have its pitch trampled by thousands of feet within 12 hours of the last match is a source of puzzlement (and / or deep concern) in general !