London Olympics Artwork and Installations

Many cultural displays (art and art installations) have been placed across London and its monuments this summer in order to celebrate the Olympics. There's been a lot to see in the city this year, and I've been documenting various bits and pieces in this blog over the past couple of months. This entry describes some of the work that I have seen (or have heard about) in London this summer.

As visitors walk across Millennium Bridge, they can hear music and narration (poetry) related to the Thames and its importance in London's history and to London today. "Tales of the Bridge" is composed by Martyn Ware and David Bickerstaff. While walking from St. Paul's Cathedral, it is not immediately obvious about the sound until you are closer to the middle of the bridge. Speakers are in the middle of the bridge and the South Bank area, and the poetry and sounds can be heard in these areas and while walking down the bridge.

The Philharmonic Orchestra is recorded with various songs about each of the planets. The experience is highly interactive, and users can participate in place of the conductor or one of the instruments. Users can read sheet music or see narration from what the players are thinking. They can see the whole piece combined using video in the surrounding walls so that they feel as though they are a part of the experience. It is easy to lose an hour or two listening and watching this. 

Designed by Westminster University, this work of art showcases London's famous skyline and architecture in seat form. Throughout the day, the work of art also functions as seating until it is placed back in a locked case once again to look like the London skyline. Passers-by can view it in this form in the locked case, which becomes momentarily illuminated. (More photographs and information is available at: http://socalondon.com/_/London_Dresser.html)

Visitors can create music by creating patterns (rotating coloured balls) using this large interactive board outside of King's Cross Station; the rotated balls produce a sound or a tune. This installation was designed by Central St. Martin's College. A write-up of the experience and some of the visitors is included here: http://londoneer.org/2012/08/playing-the-kingls-cross-song-board.html

This tree-like steel-framed canopy fits in with the environment of the square, creating shadow and light through the detailed structure. Bartlett School of Architecture designed this art installation, and more about it can be read on their website here: http://www.bartlett.ucl.ac.uk/architecture/partnerships/installations-for-london-2012/algaezebo

This colourful seating gives visitors to the South Bank a place to sit and relax during the Olympic Games.

I've blogged about the enormous shot put in a previous post. Included in this same theme (Gifts from the Olympic Gods), visitors to London can also track down giant javelin or bow and arrow sculptures. Read my original blog entry and see a photograph of one of the shot puts here.

The architecture of the area is summed up into a carousel. I visited the one in Borough Market, but the interactivity eluded me. Apparently, there's a crank to turn the carousel, and it uses light to reflect to imagery in the surrounding area. When I visited it, it was too bright to see the full effect, and the Carousel was hidden in an area where many others walked past without noting its significance. More information about these installations can be read here: http://www.lfa2012.org/places/buildings/streetscape-carousel-profile-43999 

This art installation is all about London's fascination with the weather. This art installation features parasol-shaped objects and the previous day's weather. The parasols dotted around the square provide visitors some space (or protection from the rain). 

This highly interactive art installation allows visitors to rearrange the pieces on the bright pink 'bloom', and the art responds to its surroundings based on the visitor's input. Visitors have a change to create and recreate works of art and allow the art to adapt. This is an extremely social art piece. Bartlett School of Architecture designed this art installation, and more about it can be read on their website here: http://www.bartlett.ucl.ac.uk/architecture/partnerships/installations-for-london-2012/bloom

This artwork is designed to resemble metal tree-like or sign structures, and the artwork tells tales about the past events, secrets, and stories. Bartlett School of Architecture designed this art installation, and more about it can be read on their website here: http://www.bartlett.ucl.ac.uk/architecture/partnerships/installations-for-london-2012/treelogy

This highly interactive art installation is a cross being a tea-making device, a computer, and a pin ball machine. Visitors have to get the sequence correct in order to  receive a cup of tea made correctly. The work, similar to the "Weather" installation, focuses on Britain's fascination with tea.

This art installation features cloud-like canopy. It was designed by 'Drifting City' in Athens and in Los Angeles and has been removed after the Olympic Games to visit other cities.