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Yo! Mural is an ongoing art series that sources work from all mediums from our community around a given theme. Through this series, Yo! Magazine hopes to showcase talent, share inspiration, and encourage dialogue.
The opening ceremony is something that folks always anticipate. Seeing the lighting of the torch and all the countries gathering; uniting in one place for this one special event and moment... it's an exciting and emotional time. When the Prime Minister of Japan popped out at the 2016 Olympic closing ceremony as Mario in Brazil, it opened up a world of magical possibilities to what the 2020 Tokyo opening ceremony could be.
Our friend Tessa Koga illustrated some dream scenarios of what the Tokyo opening ceremony could be (and maybe might just be!)
Olympic Torch
Totoro, an iconic character from the Studio Ghibli, holds the Olympic torch, a symbol that connects the ancient Greek games to the modern games. Each Olympiad the lit torch travels from Greece to the host nation in a torch relay. The Tokyo Olympic torch concept is "Hope Lights Our Way," which is intended to bring hope to the populations affected by the devastating 2011 earthquake and tsunami. Parts of the torch are constructed from recycled aluminum that was used for prefabricated units that housed people displaced by the Japan Earthquake.
Nintendo – Parade of Nations
Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 is one of the most popular Nintendo game characters. Here they are parading as part of the Parade of Nations around the New National Stadium in Shinjuku, the opening ceremony venue. Traditionally, each group of athletes walks around the venue lead by a representative holding their homeland’s respective flag.
Terrace House – Olympic Flame/ Caldron
Terrace House, a reality show in Japan, features six strangers living under one roof. Participants from various seasons watch one member ignite the Olympic Flame. The Caldron has the same sakura form as the torch and is known as the flame of recovery to bring reconstruction to Japan’s damaged areas following the natural disasters in 2011.
Tessa Koga is a recent UC Davis graduate with a degree in design and is pursuing a creative career in visual communications and marketing. She believes that design can influence change. To see more of her work, check out her portfolio here.
Here's an issue in lieu of the pomp & circumstance that we were expecting right around this time of the year. From retrospectives and lists to an honest assessment of why the Olympics aren't good for local community, we bring you an issue of Olympic proportion.
With any Olympic Games comes community displacement, expansion of police militarization, environmental degradation, financial waste, and corruption. Learn about the Nolympics movement.
Read More >>Though deciding which team to cheer for during the Olympics may seem like a no-brainer to some, it can be more complex if your family is tied to multiple countries. One mixed-race writer shares his story.
Read More >>No traffic in Los Angeles during a time when the entire world converges on the city?! Explore a retrospective on the wonder and mystery of the 1984 Olympic Games hosted by the greatest city on earth.
Read More >>The good, the bad, and the really not so great. Check out some of the best (and worst) Tokyo 2020 Olympic merchandise - let's see what the judges have to say!
Read More >>You love watching them compete, and I just like watching them! Come check out my list of hot Olympians.
Read More >>Let your imagination run wild! What do you think the Tokyo opening ceremony be like?
Read More >>Congratulations! You're an Olympian! But your family and friends have to wake up at 3 a.m. to watch you compete.
Read More >>Learn the background of the popular Olympic odori dance, Tokyo Gorin Ondo!
Read More >>
