A short reflection on Olympic art

Olympic art has been just as central to the modern games as sport itself. Originally intended to be a competition, art in the Olympics has shifted purposes through the years and eventually became a tool for interpretation, celebration and communication about the sport and the unique cultural contexts in which they are held. A number of modern and contemporary notables have contributed artwork in the twentieth century and one of the most notable examples was modern artist Robert Rauschenberg’s (1925–2008) poster for the 1984 Olympics held in Los Angeles, CA, entitled ‘Star in Motion’.