- By Michael Sheils McNamee
- BBC News
1 hour ago
Image source: DIMITAR DILKOFF
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Artist Ugo Gattoni said he wanted to create a “festive universe” with his depiction of Paris
The designer of the official poster for this summer's Paris Olympics has responded to criticism that his art erases symbols of French identity and Christianity.
The design features a cartoon map of Paris with lots of details.
Conservatives criticized the absence of the French tricolor and the lack of a cross on the landmark of the Hôtel des Invalides.
Artist Ugo Gattoni said he wanted to create a “festive universe.”
Francois-Xavier Bellamy of the right-wing Republican Party wrote down
Rassemblement National (RN) MP Nicolas Meizonnet complained that the omissions were the result of Le Wokisme, a bogeyman of the far right in France.
Since then, it has been widely used by conservative politicians and the media as a point of criticism on a range of issues.
Ugo Gattoni's stylized Paris panorama includes major Paris landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe, as well as all 54 Olympic and Paralympic sports.
Responding to being drawn into France's culture wars, Mr. Gattoni said he drew buildings “as they come to mind, without any ulterior motives.”
A statement from the organizing committee to the French news agency AFP said the posters were a “lighthearted interpretation of a reinvented stadium city.”
A surfing wave can be seen “off the coast of the Marseille marina; the Eiffel Tower is pink; the metro runs through the Arc de Triomphe – none of this should be subject to politically motivated interpretations,” it continued.
The colors of the French flag – blue, white and red – are present in the rosettes of the mascots, it said, and other national symbols such as Marianne, the personification of France, are also visible.
Image source: Getty Images
It is not the only controversy currently affecting the Invalides.
The historic military complex in central Paris where Napoleon is buried is also at the center of a dispute over proposals for Saudi Arabia to build an Olympic village at the site.
The French Defense Ministry said negotiations with Saudi Arabia were “underway” but said use of the Invalides site was subject to strict conditions.
“Some things are not for sale – the Invalides is one of them,” said right-wing MP Nathalie Serre.
The Paris Olympics will take place from July 26th to August 11th. The Paralympics will then take place from August 28th to September 8th.