Images Courtesy of Populous
London artist Sophie Smallhorn, who falls somewhere between art and design, is the woman behind the Olympic Stadium’s brightly coloured wrap installation. Crane.tv catch up with Smallhorn to talk about the work, her largest to date, and find out what she really think of the London 2012 Logo.
How did you become involved in the Olympic Stadium installation?
I was commissioned by Populous, the architects who designed the stadium, to create a colour palette which could be incorporated into the architectural features of the building. I had previously worked with Populous when they designed the Emirate stadium but that was quite a different project which involved a lot of red.
How did you come up with the colour scheme for this project?
The Wrap is made up of 336 panels which encircles the stadium and every six panels the colour changes creating a palette of 56 colours. The palette had to incorporate four 2012 brand colours and the Wrap lent itself to a gentle gradation of colours that moves continuously around the structure.
Why is colour so important to your work?
Colour is the starting point of all my work whether it is a sculptural wall piece or an architectural collaboration like the Olympics project. I have always been interested in colour, it holds endless possibilities.
What is your design philosophy?
Less is more.
What are your thoughts on how art is being represented throughout the Olympics?
I think there is always room for improvement on how art is represented.
Any favourite Olympic designs or art pieces?
I love Jeremy Deller’s bouncy Stonehenge and I’d like to see inside the beautiful Velodrome.
The London 2012 logo is like Marmite – you either love it or hate it – which camp do you fall in?
It has grown on me but it would be pushing it to say that I loved it!
What are you most looking forward to during the Olympics?
Seeing the stadium as a working, living building. And of course the Opening Ceremony which I am off to tonight…
