Pharrell Williams Urges Olympics To Bring Back Arts As Competitive Events

Photo 174413349 © Featureflash | Dreamstime.com

Pharrell Williams has set his sights on a unique goal: reviving the long-lost tradition of arts competitions at the Olympics. The multi-talented singer, record producer, and Louis Vuitton men’s creative director shared this passionate vision at the luxury house’s event in Paris, held just before the Games’ opening ceremony.

Those without an athletic bone in their body will be delighted to know that, once upon a time, the Olympics wasn’t all about sports. It also handed out medals for excellence in art forms like architecture, literature, music, painting, and sculpture.

But the artistic games were sidelined after the 1948 event. Now, Williams aims to bring them back, starting with raising awareness through his lavish event and “indoor carnival” at the Louis Vuitton Foundation building, which was graced by A-listers like ranging from LeBron James to Snoop Dogg and Zendaya, and featured interactive art installations designed by world-renowned artists like KAWS, Daniel Arsham, and Derek Fordjour. Sports like archery, tennis, basketball, and equestrianism were also represented alongside carnival games.

As lovers of the arts ourselves, our fingers are crossed that by 2028, the Olympics will once again celebrate creativity alongside athleticism.

[via Associated Press, Artsy, Hypebeast, Dezeen, cover photo 174413349 © Featureflash | Dreamstime.com]