Posters for London 2012 Olympics unveiled
LONDON Olympic officials on Friday unveiled the posters for the London
2012 games, which highlight 12 different takes on how to celebrate
the Olympic and Paralympic games.
Leading British artists including the controversial Tracey Emin
and Turner Prize-winner Martin Creed designed the posters, joining
a tradition that dates back to 1912 and has showcased the works of
others such as Andy Warhol and David Hockney.
Emin, whose most famous works include a recreation of her
disheveled bed -- complete with soiled clothing and empty vodka
bottles -- and an appliqued tent entitled "Everyone I Have Ever
Slept With," described her poster as a "love letter" to the
Paralympic games and its athletes.
The image features two kissing birds sitting on a branch above
the words "You inspire me with Your determination And I love
you."
"I thought about what I wanted to see and what would make me
feel good, because this is about feeling good and celebrating what
we have," Emin said. "It is not just about sport. It is also
about courage and determination."
Fellow artist Fiona Banner also paid tribute to the Paralympic
games with "Superhuman Nude." Her poster of a nude Paralympic
cyclist is adorned with the words "piercing rod of muscle,"
"steel buttock" and "absurdly muscly."
Overlapping Olympics-colored rings that resemble marks left by
drinking glasses grace Turner-Prize winner Rachel Whiteread's work,
while Sarah Morris used grids in her abstract take on London's
iconic landmark, Big Ben.
Members of the public will be able to buy posters of the 12
images for 7 pounds ($11.20) or as limited-edition prints.
A set of the images has been given to Queen Elizabeth II for the
Royal Collection and they will be displayed at Prime Minister David
Cameron's residence, 10 Downing Street, in 2012.
The posters also will be shown in a free exhibition at the Tate
Britain museum as part of the London 2012 festival.
The giant arts festival will take place in conjunction with the
2012 Olympics, which run July 27-August 12, 2012.