Sorry about that, it’s kind of bright, I know. As you can see, London have gone for a bit of an intriguing vibe for their 2012 Olympic logo. And by intriguing, I might actually mean, “epilepsy-inducing”.

So, in a intriguing strange kind of way, it’s kudos to London’s Olympic organising committee (queerly named Locog) for sticking with the arb theme when it came to the conception and design of the Olympic mascots.

You are entitled to say, “What the hell?”, out loud, with a curious tone of voice.

Enter Mandeville and Wenlock… (you are NOT going to believe this).

This, from the Guardian:

With a metallic finish, a single large eye made out of a camera lens, a London taxi light on their heads and the Olympic rings represented as friendship bracelets on their wrists, they resemble characters dreamed up for a Pixar animation.

But London 2012 organisers, for whom the launch of the mascots marks the start of a crucial period in which the games will become public property, pointed to the delighted reaction of a hall full of primary school children at today’s launch as evidence that they would connect with their target audience.

“They remind you of aliens, which is really weird and cool,” said 10-year-old Ali. “It reminds you of the Olympics, which is worldwide so it’s something you’ll want to remember forever,” added 11-year-old Zanyab as they cavorted with life-size mascots for the cameras.

Hmmmm. A few questions are raised here.

1) Is it true that the Locog settled on these two mascot names after feeding Wuthering Heights through a blender, and going with whatever made it through intact?

2) Do London creatives know the difference between recreational drug use, and recreational drug abuse?

3) Who else is creeped out by British children? First they endorse the Teletubbies, and now this.

4) Why has Mandeville wet himself?

5) Why are rainbows trailing from their anuses? Does it have anything to do with question #4?

Also, it’s a little upsetting that the mascots’ faces are entirely comprised of a camera lens. People in London already know that you’re watching them all the time, Boris. Don’t twist the knife. Just don’t.

It’s not very surprising that spoofs of these critters have already gone viral.

Eitsa.

[source : guardian]