Stonehenge set to relocate to Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park for the one year anniversary of London 2012
Date uploaded: July 8, 2013
Sacrilege, the life-sized inflatable bouncy castle replica of Stonehenge by Turner Prize-winning artist Jeremy Deller, will make its way into Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park as part of Open East Festival – a weekend of music, food and theatre to celebrate the anniversary of London 2012 on 27th and 28th July 2013.
Originally co-commissioned by Glasgow International Festival of Visual Art, Create London and the Mayor of London, Sacrilege toured the UK as part of the London 2012 Festival celebrations and has since toured the world travelling as far afield as Paris and Hong Kong. Now the artwork-come-attraction will have a chance to appear in the former Olympic Park on the weekend that marks the first anniversary of the Opening Ceremony of the Games as well as the start of the phased opening of the Park to the public.
The Mayor of London Boris Johnson commented: “Last summer London put on the greatest show on earth, culturally as well as in sporting terms, and I am thrilled to see Jeremy Deller's inspired bouncy Stonehenge return to London for the first anniversary celebrations. It will add to the fun and magic of this delightful festival, which along with the other events taking place over the next few weeks shows the amazing potential the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park has to become one of our greatest destinations, for visitors and Londoners alike.”
Open East Festival organisers the Barbican and Create London have also today announced further leading artists will appear in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park as part of the arts extravaganza including Bob & Roberta Smith, Gavin Turk and leading East London street artist Pure Evil who will be appearing as part of The Art Car Boot Fair, which gives visitors the chance to meet and buy work from leading artists.
Hadrian Garrard, Director, Create London, said: “Create London and the Barbican are bringing world leading artists into Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park to celebrate the one year anniversary of the London 2012 Games. Who wouldn’t want to bounce up and down on an inflatable Stonehenge to celebrate the start of the opening of this amazing new park? We would encourage local people to snap up tickets which start from only £6.00 for children and offer amazing value for what will be a fantastic day of music, theatre, food and entertainment.”
Louise Jeffreys, Director of Programming, Barbican, said: “Jeremy Deller’s Sacrilege was one of the hits of the London 2012 Festival and we’re delighted to be bringing this extraordinary work to Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park for thousands of people to enjoy. The artists and commissions announced today ensure that Open East Festival will be one of the most exciting events of the summer and we can’t wait to welcome the crowds to London’s newest park.”
Mark Camley, Director of Park Operations, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park said: "Open East Festival is a fantastic opportunity to visit Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park before the first phase opens to the public. People will be able to enjoy the beautiful parklands whilst watching the Sainsbury's Anniversary Games on a big screen - it will bring the atmosphere of London 2012 back to the Park for the first time since the Games. Jeremy Deller's bouncy Stonehenge will delight visitors and the surprise Bompass & Parr spectacular will entertain children and adults alike."
Open East Festival
The Open East Festival in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park marks the one year anniversary of the London 2012 Olympic Opening Ceremony as well as the start of the phased opening of the Park to the public with a weekend of international music, food, theatre, family fun, art and much more. Thanks to the support of Arts Council England and the Legacy Trust UK day tickets are priced at just £9.50 for adults, £6.00 for children aged 5 - 16, and under 5’s go free. Tickets are available from www.ticketmaster.co.uk/openeastfestival.
Click here for the latest programme and ticketing information.
