How did the ice pier and snow melt stand out from more than 5,000 works and become the mascots of the Winter Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games? On February 9, a modern express reporter interviewed Wu Weishan, member of the Standing Committee of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, director of the National Art Museum of China, expert member of the mascot design review team of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, and artistic director of the Public Art Committee. He analyzed the key factors in the "debut circle powder" of ice piers and snow melt energy in the perspective of "referees".
△ Wu weishan
"I am very fortunate to participate in the selection activities as an expert member of the Mascot Design Review Team of the Winter Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games." Wu Weishan has never forgotten the shocking scene of the preliminary evaluation session, thousands of plans from all over the world, displayed in a large venue, colorful colors, different shapes gathered together, there is an indescribable visual shock. Each program embodies the understanding and concern of people around the world for the Olympic Games.
According to data publicly disclosed by the Beijing Winter Olympic Organizing Committee, from August 8 to October 31, 2018, the global solicitation of mascot designs for the Beijing Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games received a total of 5,816 works from 31 provincial-level administrative units in China and 35 countries on five continents outside China. "It was impressive! Many of these participating works are plans submitted by young students and children, which are immature and may seem a little naïve, but they all reveal a fiery passion and a sincere sense of participation. ”
How did the judges choose the ice piers and snow melting from the many proposals? Wu Weishan believes that the design concept is the primary factor. "This Winter Olympics coincides with the Spring Festival, not only to reflect Chinese characteristics, but also to reflect the ice and snow elements of the Winter Olympics, but also to reflect the festive atmosphere of the Spring Festival." Therefore, the ice piers and snow melting designed based on pandas and lanterns stand out. From the perspective of visual effects, Chinese red and pure white, as the two main colors, are most suitable for mascots. Pandas and lanterns not only reflect Chinese elements, but also have a winter atmosphere. Wu Weishan admired the details of the design of Xue Rongrong, "The red lantern is the main body, there is a ruyi ring on the top of the head, a section covered by snow is the wall pattern of the Great Wall, and the negative shape of the paper-cut pattern is the silhouette of beijing's landmark building, the Temple of Heaven." ”
Wu Weishan revealed that the initial two images were drowned in many works and were not so conspicuous. Later, after a round of screening and voting, and a revision of the plan, the image was gradually refined, and the image seen by the public was finally determined. He was pleased that the design and judges had been recognized for their hard work, and both mascots are now loved by the public.
Wu Weishan said that the winter Olympic and Paralympic games are covered with ice and snow, and the athletes are fighting in such an environment, full of a passion that makes people's blood boil. Such a grand event reflects the spiritual strength, will and emotion of people fighting against life. The mascot adopts such a cute image, which is in line with the spirit of optimism, in line with the atmosphere of the Chinese New Year, and also in line with the theme of the Olympic Games faster, higher, stronger and more united. He said that the two mascots of the ice pier and the snow rongrong reflect the understanding of Chinese artists in the Olympic spirit with visual images.
"We are very happy to see that the ice piers and snow melting have been very hot lately, which shows that everyone recognizes them very much, but I don't have an ice pier either." Wu Weishan said with a smile.
The Modern Express + special correspondent is Zhong Yin Zhang Jin Qian Nianqiu