Icelandic artist Ólafur Elíasson, whose portfolio includes the Reykjavík concert and conference center Harpa and the New York waterfalls, has been included in the group of “stars” participating in a special Olympic art festival in London in 2012.
From London. Photo by Páll Stefánsson.
The group of artists include actors Cate Blanchett and Jude Law and musician Damon Albarn, Fréttabladid reports.
The art festival will be launched on June 21, 2012, and will continue until the end of the Paralympic Games on September 9, 2012.
It will not be announced beforehand what kind of artwork Elíasson will create for the festival, as it is supposed to be a surprise.
However, it has been revealed that he will cooperate with British artist Rachel Whiteread on a custom-made artwork for the festival and that it will be on display.
Mayor of London Boris Johnson praised the group of artists appointed to participate in the festival. “These artists are of the caliber that it should be clear to everyone that 2012 will be one of the more memorable years in London’s history.”
“The summer of 2012 will be magical and the art festival will play a big part in making the Olympics the largest show in the world,” agreed chairman of the Olympic committee Sebastian Coe.
