OK, really the most important thing is taking part. But winning an Olympic medal is pretty cool. And For the 2010 Olympics and Paralymics, two Canadian designers were given the task of designing the gold, silver, and bronze medals.
Corrine Hunt is a designer/artist and a member of the Raven Gwa’wina clan in BC. Omer Arbel is a Vancouver-based designer and owner of Bocci. Together, they designed these absolutely stunning Olympic medals:
I love the rounded square shape of the Paralympic medals:
These medals aren’t flat—they’re curvy and undulating and sexy!!
Aren’t they beautiful?? Too bad you have to train for years and years and years to win one!! ;-) And it took almost as long to create the medals!! It took two years to make them. Each medal is one-of-a-kind and is made by cropping into details from two of Corrine’s pieces of art. Each crop is different, which is what makes each medal unique.
The motif on the Olympic medals is an orca. Corrine selected the orca because a whale’s pod demonstrates teamwork.
Corrine selected the raven motif for the Paralympic medals because it represents rising above physical challenges.
When they’re not creating medals, Corrine and Omer are busy making beautiful art, jewelry, furniture, and lighting. Here’s is some of Corrine’s work…
Omer names his pieces the same way Hugh Laurie names his underlings on House ;-)
Here’s 14…
And 17…
And 25…
In the Olympic spirit of winning — I mean, friendly competition and sportsmanship — we have not one, not two, but THREE giveaways coming up!! The prizes are quite awesome if I do say so myself, so be sure to check in later this week when we’ll be announcing the first giveaway. Trust me, it’s awesome!! Really!! Even better than a gold medal!!
We may be a polite bunch, but every now and then we have to let loose…
GO CANADA!!
Medal images from corrinehunt.ca and calgarysun.com
Images of Corrine Hunt’s work from corrinehunt.ca
Images of Omer Arbel’s work from bocci.com
Omer Arbel is a great talent. Cultural Olympiad will be (it is already) quite interesting too. Let's hope there will be enough snow. Exciting time!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment, I must admit that I do not go back often to see the afters...just to busy, but this one I think I just might. They are a older couple and so sweet to work with.
ReplyDeleteI think they are the most beautiful metals yet...each one being unique in the way they are cropped and moulded. Omer Arbel is amazing and getting quite a name for himself in Vancouver. I keep wishing for more snow...what the heck...I'm not driving during the games anyway.
ReplyDeleteGreat post!
Best,
Michelle
Woaa, you do extremely well put together posts!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing. oh, and 14? *swooning*
What a fantastic post, thanks so much for introducing us to the super talented Omer Arbel.
ReplyDeleteI agree Canada totally "kicks Ass"...so excited to watch the games!!!!!
PS: Victoria LOVED your comment on my Dwell post, had me in stitches!!!
you know, i don't think i've ever seen an Olympic medal in detail before- i didn't even realize they changed designs every year. fascinating to see the background story for the design inspiration. just lovely
ReplyDeleteThanks for the lesson on the olympic medals! Very cool I did not know that! I'll be stuck on the mountain I live on come next weekend!
ReplyDeleteI love those medals - and thank indeed for the explanation! I also really love #14 and #17. Very talented designers indeed.
ReplyDeleteSorry, but I have to root for the US, though, even though you guys have home ice advantage, so to speak ;->
All I can say is WOW!!!! Gorgeous:)
ReplyDelete