Super Bowl Update

Artist Damien Hirst’s giant interpretation of the union jack flag filled the entire floor of the Olympic Stadium as part of the magnificent celebration of the arts in Britain.



In recognition of his central role to British art, a specially commissioned work by Hirst was included as part of the Closing Ceremony of the 2012 Olympic Games. The colossal 130 meter wide red, white and blue spin painting covered the entirety of the Stadium floor and was filled with the celebrating Olympic athletes as they entered the arena. It is the largest reproduction of a Hirst piece ever produced.




The work, entitled ‘Beautiful Union Jack Celebratory Patriotic Olympic Explosion in an Electric Storm Painting’ (2012), was described by the Olympic committee as epitomising, “the dynamic, anarchic energy of British Pop Art.” It forms part of Hirst’s iconic series of spin paintings dating from the early 90s. Originally inspired by spin stalls at school fêtes, Hirst describes the paintings as a, “massive explosion of energy, full of life, colour and optimism”.



A selection of key spin paintings, including a collection which rotate mechanically in eternal replication of their fabrication process, can currently be seen at Tate Modern’s major ‘Damien Hirst’ exhibition, on display for the Olympic period until September 9th.



Under Artistic Director Kim Gavin, the Closing Ceremony – entitled ‘A Symphony of British Music’ – was a celebration both of the achievements of athletes at the London 2012 Olympic Games, and the significance of Britain’s contribution to the international art and music scene over the last 50 years. Since Hirst first came to public attention in 1988, when he conceived and curated ‘Freeze’, an exhibition in a disused London warehouse of his own work and that of his contemporaries, he has become widely recognised as one of the most influential and renowned artists of his generation. Hirst's contribution is acknowledged by Tate Modern's staging of the largest survey of his work to date in the UK as part of the 2012 Cultural Olympics.


images © Damien Hirst and Science Ltd. All rights reserved, DACS 2012

The final result:





above images courtesy of AP and Reuters

This summer's Olympic and Paralympic Games are heralded with 12 special artist designed posters. Created by leading British artists Martin Creed, Chris Ofili, Anthea Hamilton, Gary Hume, Michael Craig-Martin, Sarah Morris, Bridget Riley, Rachel Whiteread, Fiona Banner, Howard Hodgkin, Bob and Roberta Smith, and Tracey Emin.

Since 1912, each Olympic host city has commissioned one or more posters to celebrate the hosting of the Games. Over the course of the last century a body of iconic work has been created and previous artists who have created a poster include David Hockney, Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein and RB Kitaj.

The artwork is on show at Tate Britain in a free exhibition as part of the London 2012 Festival.

Posters For The London 2012 Olympic Games:

Bridget Riley, ROSE ROSE:

Martin Creed, WORK NO. 1273:

Anthea Hamilton, DIVERS:

Chris Ofili, FOR THE UNKNOWN RUNNER:

Howard Hodgkin, SWIMMING:

Rachel Whitehead, lOndOn 2012:




Posters For The London 2012 Paralympic Games:

Sarah Morris, BIG BEN 2012:

Bob and Roberta Smith, LOVE:

Fiona Banner, SUPERHUMAN NUDE:

Gary Hume, CAPITAL:

Michael-Craig Martin, GO:

Tracey Emin, BIRDS 2012:




Available as signed limited edition screenprints or as reprints.
You can purchase the posters from the Tate here

Posted on his website are these two new images by Banksy as an homage to the Olympic games which began yesterday in London.


detail:


Banksy

A life-size bouncy castle version of Stonehenge, entitled Sacrilege is touring the UK this summer as a part of the London 2012 Festival and the Mayor of London Surprises Program.

Sacrilege Part 1 The Making Of Video:






Designed by Jeremy Deller, the winner of the 2004 turner prize, it's a great way to bring history to life for both young children and adults. I just wish it were touring here in the United States. Maybe someone will create an inflatable Grand Canyon.







Part 2 the Launch in Glasgow:


Sacrilege is a Co-Commission between the Mayor of London and Glasgow International Festival of Visual Art. Sacrilege will be popping up across the UK and London as part of the London 2012 Festival and the Mayor of London Surprises programme, an amazing series of free performances and projects throughout the city from 21 June to 09 September.

Tour Dates:
21 June – Carmarthenshire, Wales
24 June – Redruth, Cornwall
26 June – Exeter, Devon
29 June – Marlborough, Wiltshire
4 July – Southend On Sea
7 July – Flag Fen, Peterborough
11th July – Wakefield, Yorkshire
15 July – Gateshead – CANCELLED
20 July – Fishermead, Milton Keynes
21/22 July – Greenwich, London
25 July – Brent, London
28 July – Westminster, London
29 July – Sutton, London
31 July – Ravenscourt Park, London
1 August – Hampstead Heath, London
2 August – Clapham Common, London
4 August – Southwark, London
5 August – HIllingdon, London
7 August – Newham, London
9 August – Crystal Palace, London
10 August – Alexandra Palace, London
11th August – Christchurch Green, London
12 August – Lee Valley Park, London
18 August – College Green, Bristol
26 August – Belfast
9 September – Preston,



Sacrilege