FMAS takes part in ‘Creative Olympics’

To celebrate London 2012, FMAS has been selected as one of 13 Higher Education Institutes in South East England to participate in an Olympic Games with a twist. The faculty will be given ten events, be it track and field, gymnastics or in the pool, and then create an artistic exhibition that reflects the ethos of the particular sport. For example, performance students might present a choreographed dance inspired by the pentathlon, or fashion students might create a wedding dress from all the national flags of past medal winners in the 110m hurdles. The unique scheme put in place by FMAS is set to combine culture and imagination engaging people of various backgrounds and ages with the 2012 games.

Working with the Arts Council, the creative campus initiative will be delivered over four years prior to the games, linking the university with local community groups, sports clubs and libraries. It is also anticipated that each institute taking part would sponsor artistic answers to the opening and closing ceremonies of the Olympics. For example, these might include extreme drumming and other hypothetical Olympic events such as a musical discipline which includes events in holding longest or highest note, and longest drum solo. A variety of events will be thrown open to competition as past, present and even future students battle it out for prizes such as cash, bursaries, books and resources. All artistic responses will be gathered and exhibited at the campus.

Finally, all the exhibits will be gathered together to form one large exhibition that can tour, first from campus to campus, and then further afield, either physically or as a web-based delivery. The high profile stage would culminate in Cultural Olympiad medals being awarded to commemorate and celebrate the best work produced by public vote. Here’s hoping Solent are going for gold!


(Focus on FMAS newsletter, 2009)