Wednesday, August 3, 2016

Designing The Iconic Flame - A Visual History Of The Olympic Torch

Source: Rio 2016

Design is the marriage of message and motif. It is the intersection of identity and icon. In crafting a logo or a slogan or a character, the end symbol is the summation of both the shape and the story.

That’s why the images of the Olympic Games have reached such exalted status. The five rings are a beacon of continental unity. The posters and medals and mascots have linked arms through the years to provide an intriguing portrait of episodic design trends and nationalistic pride.

Source: Rio 2016

Looking back at the summer and winter Games, we have offered reviews of: 

The Olympic torch is an often-overlooked aspect of sports history. Many viewers might remember the televised cauldron lightings, but few can recall the specifics of each particular torch style. This is a shame, because the Rio 2016 cresset is a testament to careful design and deeply embedded meaning.


The Rio torch, as always, represents “peace, unity, and friendship.” This particular beacon, however, features many other subtle elements to personify the flair and landscape of Brazil. For example, this torch is the first to extend and grow. From the official Olympics site:

Source: Rio 2016
The hues and textures of the expanded torch pay tribute to the gold Brazilian sun, the green mountain curves, the blue ocean ripples, and the grounded Copacabana promenade. The winning design from Chelles & Hayashi was chosen unanimously from 76 nationwide submissions. Additionally, “each torch – crafted from recycled aluminum and resin with a satin finish – weighs between 1kg and 1.5kg and stands 63.5cm high when contracted and 69cm when expanded.”

For a look back at past Olympic torches, this wiki outlines a complete list of manufacturers and designers. For a visual gallery, the Olympic site includes icons going back to the 1936 Berlin Games.

Personally, our historic favorites are the art deco Innsbruck 1976, the knifed Sydney 2000, and this year’s evocative Rio 2016:

Source: Olympic.org

Our least favorites are the spatulaed Montreal 1976, the cucumbered Albertville 1992, and the twizzlered Sochi 2014

Source: Olympic.org

For other ideas about teaching with the Olympics, we recommend:

10 comments:

  1. Great post . Too many useful and helpful information .
    Thanks for sharing your article .

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love the concept behind olympic tourch and I really admire the beauty of innovative idea.

    ReplyDelete
  3. That's the first I just visited your website and I find it really interesting! Congratulations!

    voyance par mail

    ReplyDelete
  4. site bien fait !!! Merci pour ce magnifique partage !!! bonne continuation

    ReplyDelete
  5. good concept of olyampic tourch
    thanks for sharing this useful information



    Mcx Tips Free Trial

    ReplyDelete
  6. This is a really good read for me. Must agree that you are one of the best bloggers I ever saw. Thanks for posting this informative article.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Nice Article Thanks for Sharing This Use full Information
    Call girls

    ReplyDelete

  8. ارخص شركة شحن عفش

    نقل عفش من جدة الى مكة نقل عفش من جدة الى مكة
    شركة نقل عفش من جدة الى الامارات نقل عفش من جدة الى الامارات
    افضل شركة نقل عفش من جدة الى الرياض نقل عفش من جدة الى الرياض
    شركة نقل عفش من جدة الى الدمام نقل عفش من جدة الى الدمام
    شركة نقل عفش من المدينة المنورة الى مكة نقل عفش من المدينة المنورة الى مكة



    ارخص شركة نقل عفش

    ReplyDelete
  9. Noteworthy day to all, tolerant you want to have an unquestionably wonderful hairdo, you can without a through and through striking stretch go to the site gorgeous prom hairstyles where you can pick an arranged capable. I perceive that it will be helpful for you to pick an expert for his work.

    ReplyDelete

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...


Pin It