Chicago Games, Inc. has released the winning design for the Gay Games VII logo. For the first time, a Gay Games logo incorporates sports figures into its design, breaking with a tradition of torches, cityscapes and LGBT symbols. In another first, the two figures will soon sport names that will be selected after a world-wide naming contest.
The new Gay Games VII logo was created by Chicago artist David Lee Csicsko (pronounced ‘Sis-Ko’). Csicsko has rapidly gained a significant following for his highly colorful and stylized representations of the human form. Many Chicagoans will recognize his work from murals that appear at the Belmont station on the Chicago Subway ‘Red Line’ in the heart of Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood. He is also the creator of a series of posters for Northalsted Market Days. His artwork appears in print and other media throughout the Midwestern U.S. and he has received widespread critical acclaim from the art world. Csicsko has signed on as a consultant for Gay Games VII and will be developing a series of sports and culture-specific icons, posters and designs for collectibles and wearables for the 2006 Gay Games.
‘Csicsko’s design was selected from dozens of excellent submissions because it beautifully articulated the themes of the Gay Games and the sentiments of the Chicago host committee,’ said Brenda Schumacher, marketing consultant to Chicago Games, Inc.
This logo also has several elements that brand it unique to Chicago. The waves at the bottom are meant to evoke Chicago’s lakefront. The four red stars are drawn from the City of Chicago flag. Each star represents a major event in Chicago’s history.
Chicago also announced a naming contest for the figures. ‘For the next 27 months, the two figures in our logo are going to play an integral role in the promotion of the Gay Games VII brand,’ said Kevin Boyer, Gay Games VII Marketing Communications Committee Chair. ‘We’re already beginning to think of them as part of the Gay Games family, and as with any other family member, they deserve names.’
Contest entries will be accepted through Friday, May 21, and the names will be announced May 28. Entry rules are posted at www.chicagogamesinc.org. The winner will receive a prize package of logo merchandise, including wearables and souvenir items, plus a pair of tickets to Opening Ceremonies at Gay Games VII on Saturday, July 15, 2006.