A portrait of Olympic boxer Amir Khan will be published first
|
A new artwork is to be unveiled on the Tate gallery's website on each of the next 40 days, as leading artists back London's 2012 Olympic bid.
The 40 Artists, 40 Days series marks the time left before the International Olympic Committee votes on 6 July.
First to be revealed is a photograph of Olympic boxer Amir Khan by artist Sam Taylor-Wood. Sir Norman Foster, Antony Gormley and Mario Testino also feature.
The 2012 team hopes the art will boost public support for the campaign.
Each work will be published at Tate Online but the order for the internet showcase is to be kept secret.
Tate director Sir Nicholas Serota said the "cultural Olympiad" was a key part of the London 2012 plans.
"The vision for 2012 is that sport and the arts will come together in London for the biggest celebration this century will have ever known," he said.
"For other cities and countries that have hosted the Games, the cultural programme was significant, but nonetheless of secondary importance."
Showcase Britain
The works published will include visual and performance art, text, music and dance. Rafael Bonachela, Rambert dancer and choreographer, is among those to contribute.
Lord Coe, chairman of the London 2012 team, said winning the Games would bring the chance to "showcase 21st century Britain to the world".
Hundreds of Olympians, including some from the 1936 Berlin Games, gathered in London last Saturday to show their support for its bid.
Prime Minister Tony Blair has also said he will travel to Singapore for the build-up to the final vote in July.
One-Minute World News
News services
E-mail this to a friend
Printable version
The vision for 2012 is that sport and the arts will come together in London for the biggest celebration this century will have ever known
The winning moment
