'Dancing Beijing': Story behind 2008 Games logo

[Billy]

'Dancing Beijing': Story behind 2008 Games logo
( 2003-08-04 07:20) (China Daily)
www.chinadaily.com.cn

Behind every symbol, there is a story. This is the story of a country opening its gates to the future. The story of a city reaching out to embrace all humanity. The story of a people inviting the world to join their dance, experience their culture, and share their joy. This is Dancing Beijing - the symbol of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

The Journey

Dancing Beijing is the journey to the future. As the emblem for China's journey toward the 2008 Olympic Games, Dancing Beijing reveals the heart of an ancient culture embracing the modern world, the spirit of a people moving toward a new destiny. Dancing Beijing captures the soul of a city in transformation, a nation on the move. Its motion conveys a message of hope, an invitation to joy and a promise of unity.

The Promise

Dancing Beijing is the seal of the nation. The Chinese seal has remained the standard of commitment in Chinese culture for thousands of years, serving as a signature and personal pledge. Dancing Beijing is the seal of the 2008 Olympic Games - the promise Beijing makes to the world to stage an Olympic Games unlike any the world has known. A promise rooted in honour and trust, character and truth.

The Image

Dancing Beijing is the signature of the city. For over 5,000 years, the ancient Chinese art form of calligraphy has expressed the grace and character of the Chinese people, the charm and beauty of its traditions. Inspired by the ancient figure for Beijing, the new image of China's Olympic quest turns the city into a dancing athlete, beckoning a cultural exchange between East and West. In the graceful sweep of the calligrapher's hand, the image of a New Beijing is born.

The Beauty

Dancing Beijing is the colour of China. Red is the most significant colour in Chinese culture - the most enchanting. The depth of its meaning equals the depth of its beauty. Red breathes life into Dancing Beijing. Its energy is unceasing. It is celebration, luck and new beginnings.

The Hero

Dancing Beijing is the spirit of the individual. It is the symbol for very Olympian, every performer, every volunteer and every spectator - everyone who will dance at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. In its magical mix of sport and culture, Dancing Beijing celebrates the athletes' effort and the artists' vision. Arms flung wide, Dancing Beijing invites the world to share in the city's history, its beauty, its energy, its future.

The Spirit

Dancing Beijing is the form of the dragon - just as the dragon's sinuous curves and dynamic nature reflect the ancient beauty and majesty of Chinese culture. In its fluid arcs, Dancing Beijing binds the past to the future, the power to the promise, the art to the athletes. The fire and light of a people, the boundless spirit of a nation are wrapped in its curves.

The Invitation

Dancing Beijing is an invitation - a hand extended to welcome the world to China for a celebration destined to unite humanity as never before. For the world's most populous nation, the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games are the ultimate gesture of friendship, a global expression of hope that the community of nations will dance with Beijing and join its dream of a world united in peace through sport.

[Billy]

Jacques Rogge, IOC president:

Within a few short years, the emblem we unveil here tonight will become one of the most visible and recognized marks in the world.

Your new emblem immediately conveys the awesome beauty and power of China that is embodied in your heritage and your people. It clearly said that Beijing would put its focus on the performer, on the athletes and artists and volunteers who join this great journey to the Games.

As this new emblem becomes known around the world and as it takes its place at the centre of your Games, we are confident that it will achieve the stature of one of the best and most meaningful symbols in Olympic history.

[Billy]

Hein Verbruggen, chairman of the IOC Co-ordination Commission for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games:

Of course, we have some problems understanding the characters (on the logo) but, even for somebody who isn't able to read Chinese, visually it is very strong.

We (the IOC) are extremely pleased with the logo.

When we firstly confront with the logo, I could describe it very Chinese. It was striking that we, who do not have the pleasure to be Chinese, found it extremely attractive.

This logo will certainly fulfill the ambition that you can have (to host the best ever Olympics).

[Billy]

Brad Copeland, IOC adviser on the look of the Games, design director of the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and one of the four international judges of the new identity of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games:

Out of 10 points, I would give it a 10. It will stand against any Olympic identity that will ever be created.

The new emblem is one of those things that is so simple and that is so obvious. It works small and also big, internationally and also nationally. It's simple in the way that it conveys a very simple and important concept.

It allows it to work flawlessly in every conceivable application that an Olympic identity must work in.

It tells a story - of a country that is making a promise to the world, that has embarked on an important journey, that is in the midst of an incredible transformation.

[Billy]

Scott Givens, managing director of the Creative Group of the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympic Games and one of the international judges:

I was drawn to the spirit and vitality represented by the logo image. The logo with its outstretched arms spoke of the essence of the Chinese people, their friendliness ... their happy smiles ... and their warm welcome. It also said something about the Olympics with its power to welcome and unite the peoples of the world.

Add to this, the fact that the logo character had roots in traditional Chinese calligraphy and fundamentally represented the symbol for Beijing, and to me it was the winner all around.

[Billy]

Zhang Yimou, China's international-acclaimed director:

It has a strong flavour of traditional Chinese culture and you can feel that it belongs to China at the first glance.

Tao Luna, famous markswoman who won the first gold medal for China at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games:

I like its shape because it looks like an athlete with his or her arms open. And the legs show he or she is doing something athletic.

It surprised me because it looks so unique and totally different than I had expected.

Yan Ran, an 18-year-old Beijing middle school student:

It is deeply moving. It is very simple but captures the essence of Chinese culture.

It is so Chinese that it makes me think of Peking Opera.

[xoxoxoBruce]

He looks like he has a chest wound, Billy.

[Billy]

I like it. Or XOXO cure him.

[Torrere]

Koby Allard, a dude who surfs the internet:

"It looks like a logo," Koby said Thursday.

"This is the city's logo for 2008 Olympic games, and the classic Olympics logo will remain the Olympics logo. I have no idea what the logo was for the Salt Lake City Olympics, nor for the Atlanta Olympics, nor for the Lillehammer Olympics, nor for the Barcelona Olympics. "

"I cannot even remember any of my own city's logos for various events throughout the years."

Koby, however, was able to recall the five interlocking circles that symbolize the Olympics.

[Bitman]

I dunno about Beijing, but it's definitely the logo for Tiananmen.