Illustrator Ugo Gattoni, the designer of the official posters for Paris 2024, has recently visited Nanjing to explore various sites and discuss plans for cooperation.
At the award ceremony of the Paris Olympics, medalists received official posters for the Paris Games, encased in a slender box. His designs feature Parisian historical landmarks and sports facilities rendered in a surrealistic style.
The focal point of the poster is a diver watching the show in a sports arena composed of icons, including the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe. Additionally, eight mascots are cleverly hidden within the posters.
During his visit to Nanjing Normal University, he discussed about art with book designer and artist Zhu Yingchun as well as future Sino-French artistic collaborations.
They agreed that art is not only an aesthetic experience but also a crucial bridge connecting different countries and cultures. They expressed hopes for closer collaboration between Chinese and French artists through joint exhibitions and projects.
At the Nanjing Yunjin Brocade Museum, Gattoni delved into the craft of brocade weaving. The museum’s director Jian Mingwei mentioned that Yunjin brocade, as one of China’s 43 intangible cultural heritages inscribed on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list, symbolizes the commitment to excellence.
Gattoni remarked that the craft, characterized by its intricate gold and silver threads, showcases a form of expression unfamiliar to the Western world.
He plans to collaborate with the museum for new creations themed around the Nanjing cityscape, integrating elements of the craft. These works are slated for exhibition in Paris later this year.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of Nanjing’s successful holding of the Youth Olympic Games. At the Nanjing Olympic Museum, Gattoni shared how this visit exposes him to new findings and sparks his inspiration. Looking ahead, he will participate in the 2024 “Nanjing, China Week” exhibition in Paris, displaying his interpretations of Nanjing and traditional Chinese culture to an international audience.
