Monday, July 25, 2011

it's the final countdown

So, only a year to go (this Wednesday) and already things have really kicked off. There has been loads going on around the city in the last few days, to help get us in a state of perpetual Olympic excitement (stop grumbling you cynics...we'll figure out the tube woes later), with a 'unique ceremony' taking place at Trafalgar Square this Weds for a few big reveals...ooohhhh! I am loving all the weird and wonderful events that are cropping up all over the place, with the musical hot air balloons (post coming up) and Films on Fridges catching my eye today. Yes, i said fridges. Films being projected onto fridges. The connection you ask? Well, the fridges are from East London and the films are sporting in nature. Just Brilliant! 
Anyway, I am off on a tangent here, so i'm reeling it in. What with all the 2012 shenanigans this weekend, i got to thinking about the last time the Olympics were in town and what that must have been like. It became known as the 'Austerity Games' due to post war rationing and the struggling economic climate - this was the first games since the 1936 Berlin Olympics after all. I imagine it helped bring even more pride and celebration back to the city. I started fishing for imagery and found some absolute corkers. I love poster art, so when i spotted this official poster i was in my element. There are loads of great artists on board to create some iconic images for next years games as well - Tracey Emin, Martin Creed, Chris Ofili, Michael Craig-Martin, Howard Hodgkin, Rachel Whiteread and Bridget Riley - so i imagine they will be pretty spectacular. 
Love these guys...the Australian water polo team. Which one is your favourite? i have two...

all images borrowed from Getty - thanks.