New video shows creation of the Olympic cauldron

Just released V&A video looks at the creation of the 204 petals and the mechanism to raise the structure

The Olmpic Cauldron at the opening ceremony - photo courtesy LOCOG

SHARE THIS PAGE

Thomas Heatherwick 'huge relief' at Olympic opening
Designer reveals the Bond style secrecy around the planning and creation of 'Betty' - the Olympic cauldron

Article Tools

A · A

If the feeling of bonhomie engendered by the Olympic summer is feeling a bit of a distant memory by now, you'll be glad to come across this video put together by the V&A showing how Thomas Heatherwick's truly awe-inspiring Olympic cauldron came into being. The video shows the forging and panel beating of the cauldron's iconic copper petals and shows the stems being tested to ensure they raise correctly. The raising of the 204 petals was one of the most breathtaking moments of the opening ceremony.

If you're in London don't miss the Heatherwick Studio: Designing the Extraordinary exhibition at the V&A museum which has just a few more days to run, closing on September 30. A scale model of the cauldron is on display at the V&A.