London 2012: The Controversy of Work No. 1197
The 2012 Summer Olympics in London were marked by global celebration and artistic spectacle. Among the various events surrounding the games, the London 2012 Festival commissioned a provocative piece of performance art titled Work No. 1197: All The Bells. This work sought to create a massive, synchronized sonic event across the country, though it ultimately sparked significant debate within the traditional bell-ringing community.
The Concept of Work No. 1197
Work No. 1197 was presented as a new work by the London 2012 Festival, though it was a re-commissioned piece. The project carried a revised rubric—a set of instructions or a heading—that called for all the bells in the country to be rung as loudly and as quickly as possible for a duration of three minutes.
The event was scheduled to take place on July 27, 2012, the day of the Summer Olympics opening ceremony. The performance was timed precisely from 8:12 a.m. to 8:15 a.m.
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Financials and Logistics
While official figures were not explicitly detailed, it was rumored that the sum for the re-commissioning of the piece ranged between thirty-five thousand and fifty thousand pounds.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Title | Work No. 1197: All The Bells |
| Date | 27 July 2012 |
| Time | 8:12 a.m. – 8:15 a.m. |
| Duration | 3 Minutes |
| Estimated Cost | £35,000 – £50,000 (Rumored) |
Opposition from the Bell Ringing Community
Despite the ambition of the London 2012 Festival, the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers declined to participate in the event. The Council cited a lack of adequate planning time, noting that recruiting and training the thousands of volunteer bell ringers required for such a feat was not feasible on the given timeline.
The Council compared the project unfavorably to the "Ring In 2000" millennium event. Unlike Work No. 1197, the millennium event had been planned five years in advance and was specifically designed to foster a long-term interest in the art of bell-ringing.
Criticism from Leadership
Kate Flavell, the President of the Council, expressed her disapproval via her official blog. She criticized both the timing and the nature of the instructions. Flavell argued that 8:12 a.m. was too early for many churches to begin ringing and asserted that church bells were not designed to be rung "as quickly and as loudly as possible."
Key Facts
- Work No. 1197 was commissioned by the London 2012 Festival for the Olympic opening ceremony day.
- The piece required bells to be rung at maximum volume and speed for three minutes.
- The event occurred on July 27, 2012, from 8:12 to 8:15 a.m.
- The Central Council of Church Bell Ringers refused to participate due to poor planning and unsuitable instructions.
- The project's rumored cost was between £35,000 and £50,000.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the goal of Work No. 1197: All The Bells?
The goal was to have every bell in the country rung as loudly and as quickly as possible for three minutes to mark the day of the 2012 Summer Olympics opening ceremony.
Why did the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers refuse to join?
The Council believed there was insufficient time to recruit and train the necessary volunteers and felt the instructions were unsuitable for church bells.
How did this event differ from the "Ring In 2000" event?
The "Ring In 2000" event was planned five years in advance and aimed to encourage long-term interest in bell-ringing, whereas Work No. 1197 was seen as lacking similar preparation.
Who criticized the timing of the performance?
Kate Flavell, the President of the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers, stated that 8:12 a.m. was too early for many churches to participate.
How much did the London 2012 Festival reportedly pay for the piece?
It is rumored that the re-commissioning cost was between thirty-five thousand and fifty thousand pounds.