Friday, January 03, 2014

The Olympic Patchwork Quilt of Sochi


Okay. It's still freezing here and has been all week. And maybe I've just been hiding under the blankets too long, but my heart skipped a beat tonight, not because of the temperature, but because I came across the graphic design that the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics committee has chosen to represent Russia's first games. It's a quilt!

And a gorgeous one at that - in 5 stunningly gorgeous colour ways. Can you believe it?!!

A combination of 16 designs representing the most famous traditional Russian arts and crafts, ranging from Gzhel to Khokhloma, are used and intended to express the character of modern Russia while introducing guests from around the world to traditional Russian hospitality.

A medley of geometric patterns based on traditional Russian quilt designs, it is fresh and colorful, much more so than traditional Winter Olympics designs. Say what you will about the politics that always surround the games, how cool is it that a sporting event is making room at the table for the visual arts and crafts?

The branding will be used all over Russia to promote the games - from wrapping trains to incorporating it into public spaces and souvenirs. My Russian is not up to snuff but I believe that this is a venue map. Gorgeous.

The Russian Quilters Association, based in Saint Petersburg, must be tickled pink - I know I am. Maybe I have been living under a rock and this is old news, but I still think it's wonderful, and wonderfully executed. It will be interesting to see if it takes off within the quilting community. Makes me want to start cutting lots and lots of colourful diamonds.

Have I mentioned that I LOVE it?...M
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13 comments:

  1. Susan4 January 2014 at 01:21

    Fantastic!

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  2. Maggey and Jim4 January 2014 at 09:42

    We love it too, awesome

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  3. Monica4 January 2014 at 10:49

    My guess is that the map is from the torch relay. Russia's too big to spread events from coast to coast!

    You're right, the graphics are wonderful, and I haven't seen them before either. Imagine a train wrapped in a quilt!

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  4. Barb Neiwert4 January 2014 at 12:02

    Awesome! I'll have to look for these logos on TV. Fun, fun!

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  5. Raewyn4 January 2014 at 12:52

    Wow, how exciting to see quilts getting such a high profile!

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  6. Samplings from Spring Creek4 January 2014 at 13:36

    I love watching the winter olympics! Oh those quilts and the fabric, can't wait to hear their story during the games

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  7. Nita4 January 2014 at 14:29

    Oh! Oh,oh, oh!!!

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  8. Anne4 January 2014 at 15:23

    Certainly gives a cozy warmth to some cool games!

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  9. Brandie4 January 2014 at 16:50

    I agree with you, I want to cut up a bunch of diamonds. It looks great. I'm sure we will be seeing bloggers turn this into something gorgeous!

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  10. Karen H6 January 2014 at 12:04

    Hi Marie - I agree that these quilts are stunning. I notice that Quilting Gallery is hosting a mug rug swap and the rugs are inspired by the Sochi Olympic quilts. Here's a link to the swap http://quiltinggallery.com/2014/01/05/celebrate-the-olympics-mug-rug-swap/

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  11. Jean 7 January 2014 at 00:20

    I guess I've been under the rock with you, as this is the first I've heard of it. I love it as well!

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  12. torridgewomble17 February 2014 at 16:54

    Must be a big rock cause I did not really realise until The games were in full swing, I first thought "goodness what a collection of colours" then as the cameras flitted about I realised it was diamonds and quilting, absolutely love it!!! I had knitted some patchwork triangles
    now sewn together to make diamonds which in turn will make a ball for the latest addition to our community, (all Sochi colours of course)
    barbara

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  13. GrandmaSue105 August 2016 at 16:31

    I have seen "When Bali met Socchi" Pattern, but it seems more horizontal than the real Socchi quilts.
    Is there a pattern out there for the Socchi quilt?
    The fabrics wouldn't have to match exactly. (I'm pretty sure I couldn't afford to order 5 colorways from Russia.)

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Thanks so much for stopping in - I look forward to reading your comments.