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Orbit - Public Artwork to commemorate the London 2012 Olympic & Paralympic Games

Date uploaded: April 16, 2012

Orbit - Public Artwork to commemorate the London 2012 Olympic & Paralympic Games

Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, unveiled the designs for Britain's biggest piece of public art, in March 2010, a monumental steel structure standing 377ft (115m) tall, to commemorate the London 2012 Olympic & Paralympic Games.

Following a chance meeting with Lakshmi Mittal, Chairman and CEO of ArcelorMittal, at the World Economic Forum Summit in Davos in 2009, Johnson secured ArcelorMittal’s support.

ArcelorMittal will fund up to £19.6m of the £22.7m project, with £3.1m provided by the London Development Agency. ArcelorMittal is a Tier 2 sponsor and the official steel supporter of London 2012.

The winning design was submitted by Turner art prize winner Anish Kapoor and engineer Cecil Balmond. The ArcelorMittal Orbit reached its full height in late 2011. The interior is now being fitted out and it will become a secure venue within the Olympic Park.

During the London 2012 Olympic & Paralympic Games, the ArcelorMittal Orbit will act as a visitor attraction. Ticket holders for events in the Olympic Park will have the opportunity to purchase tickets to visit the ArcelorMittal Orbit. Visitors will be able to take one of two lifts up to the ArcelorMittal Orbit's viewing platforms and can then walk down the 455 steps.

Tickets for the ArcelorMittal Orbit during the Olympic Games will go on sale via the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games & Paralympic Games.

Information about ticket on-sale dates will be released in May 2012. Keep checking www.tickets.london2012.com for all the latest news and information.

For more information on Anish Kapoor, please click here.

Visit www.arcelormittalorbit.com/

Staircase and liftshaft

Staircase and liftshaft