PyeongChang Winter Olympics posters get artistic

SEOUL, Nov. 1 (Yonhap) -- Forget uninspiring, boring promo posters. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism unveiled Wednesday a series of posters that beautifully combine the images of winter sports and Korean traditional art for the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics. The eight posters have been selected from 205 entries from 136 artist teams in a contest from May 2 to July 31 to celebrate the opening of the Olympics next February. In a statement, Jeong Byung-kyu, chairman of the selection committee, highlighted the winners' artistic originality and experimental spirits as well as expression of Korean beauty and sensitivity. Indeed, all the posters are subtle and artistic in expression of their messages and can't be immediately associated with the Olympics. Artist Jeon Chang-hyun depicts two bobsledders about to slide down the surface of a Korean traditional pot. A closer look reveals small footprints on the surface -- inspired by the moon -- adding wit and humor. Kim Ju-sung, a design professor at Myongji College in Seoul, used Korean characters in creating a Korean landscape and visualizing the names of the three cities that will host the games -- PyeongChang, Gangneung and Jeongsun. "An Olympic Games is a rare opportunity that combines sports and culture," said Roh Tae-kang, the ministry's vice minister, during a press briefing on Wednesday. "We are having the first global event in 30 years so we hope to get support (from the media and the public) for a successful hosting of the event." The posters will be on display on Nov. 2 to Dec. 3 at the Seoul branch of the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA). jaeyeon.woo@yna.co.kr (END)