A dynamic new light display has been launched, for visitors to the Olympic Park.
Since Saturday 4 August, visitors to the Olympic Park have been able to see the ArcelorMittal Orbit in a whole new light, as a dynamic lighting display is unveiled at dusk each day.
The display offers a previously unseen view of the 114.5metre-tall Anish Kapoor and Cecil Balmond-designed sculpture. The light display will consist of 250 colour spot lights, each individually controlled to produce a stunning digital combination of static and animated effects, enhancing the striking red colour of the sculpture.
Phase one of the light display runs from 19.30 to 21.55 while phase 2 runs from 21.55 to 02.00.
Hailed as the ‘unlikely star of the London Olympic Games’ by The Times and confirmed as a sell-out for the duration of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the ArcelorMittal Orbit has been welcoming more than 4,000 visitors a day, who have enjoyed the panoramic views of up to 20 miles from the top of the sculpture.
To date, the UK’s tallest sculpture has been visited by royalty, heads of state and celebrities. On 28 July – the day after the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games - Her Majesty the Queen, Prince Philip and Princess Anne visited, accompanied by Lord Coe, Mayor of London Boris Johnson, designers Anish Kapoor and Cecil Balmond and the chairman and CEO of ArcelorMittal, Lakshmi N. Mittal, who sponsored the sculpture. Kevin Spacey has led the celebrity pack enjoying this iconic work of public art, which was designed as a physical symbol of Olympic spirit. Athletes from the Olympic Village have also stepped out onto the sculpture’s viewing platforms that look out onto Olympic Park and the London skyline.
“It gives me great pride to see the ArcelorMittal Orbit standing as a success not only in the eyes of those who visit the Park and enjoy the Orbit first hand, but those international spectators who are watching this incredible Games from afar,” comments Mr. Mittal. “London has put on an excellent show so far and it fills me with huge pride to see the ArcelorMittal Orbit sit at the heart of this success.”
Nearly 60% of the 2,000 tonnes of steel being used in the ArcelorMittal Orbit is drawn from recycled sources. It contains symbolic quantities of steel from every continent in the world where the company has operations, reflecting the spirit of the Olympic Games which draws together athletes from across the globe. Steel was chosen for the ArcelorMittal Orbit because of its unique properties including strength, modular structure and the advantages it offers in terms of weight and speed of construction.
As a tier two sponsor of London 2012 and official steel supporter of the Games, ArcelorMittal committed funding of up to £19.6 million of the £22.7 million cost of the ArcelorMittal Orbit, with the outstanding £3.1 million provided by the Greater London Authority. It has been estimated that the resulting visitor attraction will generate up to £10 million of revenue per annum and create up to 50 new jobs following the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The ArcelorMittal Orbit is open between 10am and 10pm daily. For further ticket information about ArcelorMittal Orbit, please visit: www.tickets.london2012.com
For more information about the ArcelorMittal Orbit, please visit: www.arcelormittalorbit.com.