Introduction by Sarah Weir
As part of the new landscape in the Olympic Park, the Olympic Delivery Authority has commissioned a series of permanent art works by a range of artists, both local and international to reflect the creative communities that surround the Park, and to ensure that art and artists remain a core character of east London after the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The project has been jointly funded by Arts Council England.
One of the ODA’s major art commissions is Mapping the Park by British artists Ackroyd and Harvey. Ten locations marking entrances to the Olympic Park will be planted with semi-mature deciduous trees each holding a 6m diameter metal ring. Nine of the rings are inscribed with historical information relevant to each location. The tenth tree will evoke the spirit of London 2012 through the voices of the communities living around the five Host Boroughs.
Lucy Harrison was commissioned to work with local people to raise awareness of Ackroyd and Harvey’s work, which will form a part of their local neighbourhood in the future. Her proposal was to make audio recordings with people who live or work near to each of the Entrance Marker locations, culminating in a soundtrack which can be listened to while walking through and around the Park.
Working in collaboration with local walking group the Newham Striders and Ramblers, and other local residents, she explored the areas around the edge of the Park and invited a range of people to be recorded, sharing stories, memories, poems, songs and even cookery sessions. The resulting recordings – 30 in total – are available for download from this websiteand also in other accessible formats.
Artists Ackroyd and Harvey have used this rich source of personal accounts to include in the text of the spirit ring, which will be suspended from the English Oak tree at the South West entrance of the Park. This location, the most prominent entrance for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games linking Westfield Shopping Centre with the Olympic Park, will therefore be both a lasting memory and commemoration of the spirit of the communities who were living around the periphery of the future Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
Sarah Weir
Arts and Culture Director
Olympic Park Legacy Company
Previously Head of Arts and Cultural Strategy, Olympic Delivery Authority
