Music-inspired architectural artwork by Monica Bonvicini installed at Olympic Park
Work has started on installing a major artwork in the London 2012 Olympic Park that was inspired by popular music - including the songs of Bruce Springsteen and Neil Young. RUN, created by internationally-renowned artist Monica Bonvicini, will be the largest standalone artwork on the Olympic Park and will be situated on the plaza of the 6,500-capacity Copper Box (the new name for the London 2012 Handball Arena). It forms part of the ODA’s Art in the Park programme and is funded by the London Development Agency and the Greater London Authority.
It features three nine-metre tall letters forming the word in capital letters, each weighing ten tonnes. The letters are constructed from steel and reflective glass, producing a mirrored effect during the day and a playful glow at night through the innovative use of LED lighting that will reflect off a series of internal curved mirrors. It will take around six weeks to fit all the components to the letters, including the glass and 305m of energy efficient LED lighting.
Bonvicini’s choice of the word RUN is a reflection of cultural references such as popular music titles, including The Velvet Underground’s Run Run Run, Neil Young’s Running Dry and Bruce Springsteen’s Born to Run. The artist commented: “It's exciting to see the work finally start on site after being awarded the commission in summer 2010. RUN will blend in perfectly in the landscape, avoiding monumentality through the mirroring of the surroundings. At night the psychedelic light reflections will illuminate it in a vigorous, elegant and witty way, reflecting the great liveliness of London."
|
