Albarn leads running to be artistic director of 2012 Olympics

Suggested Topics

Damon Albarn has emerged as a leading contender to be the artistic director for the opening ceremony of the London Olympics in 2012.

The Blur and Gorillaz frontman worked with the artist Jamie Hewlett to create the animation and music for BBC's coverage of the Beijing Games.

The Independent understands that preliminary discussions have taken place between the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (Locog) and the musician, as part of a wide consultation process that is likely to take months.

Stephen Daldry, the Oscar-nominated film director, has also been the subject of preliminary soundings and is the preferred choice of much of the arts establishment. Locog has not ruled out the idea of having several artistic directors, with four separately themed ceremonies for the opening and closing of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The appointment may take place within the next six months, though probably not until the new year. Officials are speaking to senior figures in the arts world and cultural bodies from around Britain, as well as key stakeholders in the Games, to hear views on the type of opening ceremony most appropriate for London.

Officials have played down expectations that the British ceremony might match last year's opening in Beijing, where audiences watched in awe a spectacular performance by 14,000 dancers, musicians and volunteers.

The Locog chief executive, Paul Deighton, has said: "I am not sure how many countries would have either the resources or indeed the controlled resources to put on an event like [Beijing's]. I doubt we will have 20,000 people doing things in unison in our opening ceremony. That's just fine. That's the beauty of the contrast."

Some feel that Albarn, 41, who was born in east London where the Games will take place and was a pivotal figure in Britpop, would be capable of producing a ceremony that helped to define London's place in the world.

Locog's first decision will be to appoint an organisation or company to produce the ceremony. A Locog spokeswoman said it was too early to discuss the identity of the artistic director. "It is complete speculation and we are still months away from making appointments," she said.

Independent Comment
blog comments powered by Disqus
Caption competition
Caption competition
News in pictures
World news in pictures
Sport blogs

iBet: Back Spain to shut out Tahiti

The spread betting firms are very slow about pricing up this game and you can understand why. All th...

by Gareth Purnell

iBet: Look To The Lady In The Prince Of Wales

The Prince of Wales Stakes today is regarded by many as the No1 race of the Royal Ascot meeting and ...

by Gareth Purnell

iBet: Favourites have a good record in the Coventry stakes

Today’s St James Palace looks a cracker and there has been sustained money for Dawn Approach since t...

by Gareth Purnell

       
 

Day In a Page

Babies behind bars: A Palestinian fertility doctor has become an unlikely hero by helping women conceive – even though their husbands are in jail

Babies behind bars

A Palestinian fertility doctor has become an unlikely hero by helping women conceive – even though their husbands are in jail
Sonic youth: The high-pitched sound alarm for under 25s

Sonic youth: The high-pitched sound alarm

Is Mosquito, the alarm only under-25s can hear, a blessing or a bane?
The art of living in small spaces: Architects are learning how to make less, more

The art of living in small spaces

Space in cities at a premium so architects are learning how to make less, more...
Special report: The story of Sir Mervyn King's reign at the Bank

The story of Sir Mervyn King's reign at the Bank

After four 'nice' years as Governor of Bank of England, things turned decisively nasty
Zombie nation: Our enduring fascination with a world full of death and destruction

Zombie nation: Our fascination with death and destruction

A new season of shows on Radio 4 is inspired by dark tales of future dystopias. Meanwhile, zombies are marauding in the multiplexes...
Martin Stephen: 'Ofsted says comprehensives are failing the most able but teaching bright children isn't rocket science'

'Teaching bright children isn't rocket science'

It doesn't take a selective system to nurture the best minds, says a former head of St Paul's boys' school.
The retail empires strike back: Can new technology lure us back to the high street?

Can technology lure us back to the high street?

The high street has been bruised and battered by online firms but in-store technology is helping to enliven the retail experience...
The 10 Best new smartphones

The 10 Best new smartphones

Photos, films, music, apps and browsing - the latest mobiles can do it all
Jenson Button: Downbeat driver cannot wait to put season behind him

Jenson Button: Downbeat driver cannot wait to put season behind him

McLaren man admits 'failed gamble' with car has left him pinning hopes on 2014 campaign
James Lawton: Firmer fist will be required to win Champions Trophy final battle with stouter foe

James Lawton

Firmer fist will be required to win Champions Trophy final battle with stouter foe
'To farm I have to rape the countryside. It’s got to be wrong': The true effect of the badger cull

The true effect of the badger cull

'To farm I have to rape the countryside. It’s got to be wrong'
Theatre review: Daniel Radcliffe gives an admirably honest performance in Michael Grandage's The Cripple of Inishmaan

First night: The Cripple of Inishmaan

Daniel Radcliffe gives an admirably honest performance in Michael Grandage's comedy
Girls Guides drop religious reference but pledge to self and the Queen

Guides drop religious reference but pledge to self and the Queen

After 103 years, organisation changes oath to welcome 'all girls, of all faiths, and none'
Steve Tongue: Joe Kinnear was one of the boys and a breath of fresh air... 21 years ago

Steve Tongue

Joe Kinnear was one of the boys and a breath of fresh air... 21 years ago
Chris Froome: Free from 'pain in neck' after Bradley Wiggins' exit

Chris Froome: Free from 'pain in neck' after Wiggins' exit

Sky's lead rider says he is in fantastic form for the Tour and happy pecking order debate is over