'...Zoink! Off The Scale'

I’ve never had much involvement with sport and am used to regarding the mindset of an artist as rather different from that of an athlete.  My attitude towards the whole Olympics hoopla over recent years could probably be best described as mild indifference combined with habitual scepticism about such overblown spectacles.

Danny Boyle (Dir.) & A Cast Of Thousands, 'Isles Of Wonder',
Opening Ceremony, London Olympics, 2012

Indeed, in the context of Guy Debord’s theories about Spectacular Society [1.], the Modern Olympics is a huge manifestation of Capitalist Spectacle in so many respects.  More immediate political debates around the whole phenomenon are manifest and diverse, including issues of elitism, spending, regeneration, sponsorship agendas, public health, out-sourcing of public services, educational provision and so much else.  Furthermore, news reports of Syrian civil war, nihilistic gun crime, sadistic burglars and ever-deepening economic malaise remind us that the same old madness continues apace beyond the perimeter of the five-ring circus.

Despite all that, I’ll admit to being surprisingly engaged with and entertained by the whole event.  Dispensing with my television some time ago means my exposure to it all has been via the radio and Internet and the BBC’s enthusiastic and varied coverage has accompanied my painting activities constantly over recent days.

Danny Boyle (Dir.) & A Cast Of Thousands, 'Isles Of Wonder',
Opening Ceremony, London Olympics, 2012 

From the start I was encouraged to see Danny Boyle get humour and a little subversion into his eccentric opening extravaganza and also celebrate achievements like the NHS amongst the things Britain could be proud of.  Full marks for getting parachuting monarchy, Mr Bean, The Sex Pistols and Pink Floyd into the same program too.  If the BBC has betrayed a partisan focus, it’s still good to know the British can organise an alcoholic function in a brewery after all and also be good at games when 'we' want to.  The debates about funding, sport in schools and the dreaded L-word rage on but it would take a hard heart to remain unaffected by the sight of talented and dedicated 'ordinary' young women fulfilling their potential and winning for fun.

Laura Trott, Women's Omnium Gold Medalist.
(Photo: Guardian/Tom Jenkins)

Jessica Ennis, Heptathlon Gold Medalist.  (Photo: Getty)

Two terms used repeatedly by participators and commentators alike have been ‘Unbelievable’ and ‘Emotional’.  However grand an illusion it might all be, - if only a fraction of the shared emotion, communality and good cheer apparently generated are authentic it could even be money well spent.

[1.]: Guy Debord, 'The Society of the Spectacle', 1967, Trans. Ken Knabb, http://www.bopsecrets.org/SI/debord/