As the world reminisces about the eagerly watched and dazzling opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games held on Friday 26 July and is in awe of the feats achieved by Olympians, an often overlooked yet fascinating chapter of Olympic history resurfaces—one that intertwines the athletic and artistic prowess of humanity. Imagine a time when the grandeur of the Olympics extended beyond the stadiums, encompassing the studios and galleries where artists vied for gold, silver, and bronze. That imaged time was the reality from 1912 to 1948 when Olympic art competitions were an integral part of the Olympic Games, as highlighted by art historian and art curator Carrie Scott.
The Origins and Demise of Olympic Art Competitions
Initiated by Pierre de Coubertin, the father of the modern Olympics, art competitions were envisioned as a way to blend physical and intellectual excellence. These competitions featured five categories: architecture, literature, music, painting, and sculpture, all thematically linked to sports. However, by 1952, art contests were discontinued due to concerns over professionalism and the difficulty of defining amateurism in the arts, and the organisers replaced them with an arts and cultural festival.
The Forgotten Olympic Art Competitions: A Canvas of History
Over 150 medals were awarded during their run, with participants submitting works like “The Discus Thrower” by Konstantinos Dimitriadis (Paris, 1924, Sculpture), “Seaside Sport” by Walter Battiss (London, 1948, Painting and graphic art, Engravings and Etchings sub-category) and “The Olympic Stadium in Amsterdam” by Jan Wils (Amsterdam, 1928, Architecture, Architectural design sub-category).
Notably, the art events often saw participation from athletes who were also artists, embodying the Olympic ideal of a harmonious balance between body and mind.
Biennales vs. Olympic Art Competitions: A Comparative Insight
The reintroduction of art competitions in the Olympics could offer a fresh perspective compared to biennales and established art events like the Venice Biennale and the Dakar Biennale, with the former often dubbed “the Olympics of the Art World”. While biennales serve as prestigious platforms for contemporary art, frequently highlighting cutting-edge and avant-garde works, Olympic art competitions could emphasise themes of sportsmanship, unity, and the human spirit. The world would also benefit from the reintroduction of art competitions because the Olympics are hosted by different countries every four years. Moving around the globe would mean more people can access art than only those who can travel to Venice or Dakar.
Venice Biennale
- Takes place in Venice, Italy
- Founded in 1895, it’s one of the most renowned cultural events worldwide.
- Focuses on contemporary art, often pushing boundaries and challenging norms.
- Attracts a global audience, fostering international dialogue and collaboration.
Dakar Biennale
- Takes place in Dakar, Senegal
- Conceived in 1989 as a biennale alternating between literature and art, the first edition held in 1990 focused on literature while the 1992 edition was on visual art. From 1996 onwards, it became dedicated to contemporary African art
- Known for showcasing African and diaspora artists.
- Highlights socio-political themes and celebrates cultural heritage.
- Promotes emerging artists and provides a platform for voices underrepresented in the global art scene.
Documenta
- Takes place in Kassel, Germany every five years
- Founded in 1955 as part of the Federal Horticultural Show which takes place in Kassel at the same time
- The first Documenta featured many artists who were generally considered to have had a significant influence on modern art and recent editions feature artists from around the world
- Critically, the artist list is not published until just before the opening of the show
Reintroducing art competitions to the Olympics could merge these cultural dialogues with the Games’ universal appeal, promoting a more inclusive and diverse representation of artistic expressions. With the Paris 2024 edition achieving gender parity, more country and gender diversity would certainly be a welcome addition to the list of winners of the art competitions at the Olympic games in modern times.
Art with the theme of sport
With the breadth of subject matter one sees at any exhibition, art fair or just on Instagram, it might be hard to think about where one has seen any art form recently which features sport. But one does not have to look too hard.
Independent curator Phokeng Setai and gallery director Alexander Richards are co-founders and curators of Exhibition Match, a boundary-blurring project that brings together the worlds of football and art, two cultural phenomena. Launched in 2021, the project has created innovative programming in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Dakar to bring art closer to the public. Each exhibition concludes with a football match comprising actors from the art world such as artists, curators, logistics teams, administrators, collectors and other art enthusiasts. By bringing together two seemingly disparate forms, the project hints at intersections between art and social life, while also proposing interesting methods of how exhibitions can be formed and experienced.
Thenjiwe Niki Nkosi’s audio-visual work, The Same Track, uses archival footage of Commonwealth Games athletes, spectators, and administrators cut together with images of economic and promotional activity in various British colonies and Commonwealth states. It is a moving commentary about soft power in sport and its potential to be used negatively as well. Along with her other series of works such as Stadium, Gymnasium and Architecture, Nkosi is a shoo-in for inclusion in any future art competitions in the Olympics.
As part of the vernissage for the exhibition Plural identity and sense of the universal by Senegalese photographers Seydina Ousmane Boye and Ina Makosi and German sculptor Martin Steinert in December 2021 as part of Partcours held annually in Dakar, was a performance of beach wrestling that is a national sport in Senegal and The Gambia.
The Potential of Art in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics?
The games will end in a few weeks. As the world gears up for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, the potential for reintroducing art competitions is gaining traction. Musician, cultural icon, and Louis Vuitton Creative Director Pharrell Williams has voiced support for this idea, advocating for a platform that celebrates artistic talent alongside athletic prowess.
Since it would have been over 70 years since the competitions featured at the Olympics, we thought that the categories would need a contemporary refresh! Imagine categories like digital art, street art, and multimedia installations, reflecting the contemporary art scene’s dynamism and innovation. Alongside the categories from the 1912 to 1948 era, we suggest the following:
- Digital Art: Leveraging technology to create immersive experiences.
- Street Art: Celebrating urban culture and spontaneous creativity.
- Multimedia Installations: Combining various media to produce interactive and thought-provoking pieces.
- Sustainable Art: Highlighting eco-friendly practices and themes related to environmental awareness and the circular economy.
By integrating art into the Olympics, we can create a unique platform for artists to gain international recognition, similar to the opportunities provided by biennales but with the added prestige and visibility of the Olympic stage.
At Capital Art, we have long recognised the importance of diverse artistic expressions. Our blog has featured numerous articles, reflecting our commitment to promoting and supporting the global art community. The reintroduction of art competitions in the Olympics aligns with our mission to celebrate and discover artistic talents and forms.
A Future for Art in the Olympics
As we reflect on the rich history of Olympic art competitions and the potential for their future, we are left with an intriguing question: How can we best celebrate the intersection of art and sports to inspire future generations?
The reintroduction of art competitions in the Olympics presents a unique opportunity to foster global unity and creativity. It invites us to imagine a world where the beauty of human expression is celebrated in all forms, bringing together the athletic and artistic talents that define our shared humanity.
The Olympic Games have always celebrated the human spirit, pushing the boundaries of what we can achieve. We can expand this celebration by reintroducing art competitions to include the boundless creativity that defines us. As we look forward to future Games, we must ask ourselves: How can we harness the power of art to inspire and unite us in new and profound ways?