Washington DC Celebrates the Pop Art Movement at Red Bull Art of Can DC

WASHINGTON, DC--(Marketwire - July 29, 2009) - Conversation will go way beyond politics this fall as the Red Bull Art of Can exhibit opens October 8 - 19 and showcases a wide variety of art made from recycled materials. The exhibit gets sworn in at Union Station, where a collection of 56 pieces will be on display, including a 14-foot bull, an 8-foot octopus and the familiar donkey and elephant representing our fellow Democrat and Republican parties.

The Red Bull Art of Can competition challenges artists to construct pieces created with or inspired by Red Bull Energy Drink and Red Bull Simply Cola cans. Innovative artists -- professional and amateur -- submitted their designs for consideration. Red Bull cans used for the pieces ranged from one to 4000! Ultimately 56 pieces were selected to be a part of the DC Collection. The featured artists are creative types of all ages and occupations -- from students to industrial designers and sales professionals to teachers.

A LITTLE TASTE OF DC

The aluminum offerings in DC guarantee not just diversity and variety, but edge and excitement. Final candidate Kathryn Beale created some buzz with her piece that depicts animals symbolic of the nation's two major political parties as they find "Common Ground." "I love to dig through piles of objects people no longer consider valuable... I can create something visual that allows me to express my thoughts, while making a positive impact on the environment," Beale said.

THE EXPERT OPINION

With this much talent on hand, a distinguished judging panel was brought in to help sort through the array of submissions and determine which pieces earned a coveted pedestal in the exhibition. Their decision was based on the overall creativity, execution and construction of each piece. DC's judging lineup includes:

--  Val E. Lewton - Art Director, Former Chief of Design and Production at
    Smithsonian American Art Museum
--  Stash - New York Graffiti legend, Innovator and Influencer in the
    world of urban design
--  SAGA MOOR - Philadelphia Art Pioneer and Creative Art Director at
    Miskeen Originals, an urban clothing line
--  Philippa P.B. Hughes - Founder of The Pink Line Project, which fosters
    art innovation through creative programs
--  Laurel Lukaszewski - DC installation and sculpture artist and founding
    member of Flux Studios in Mt. Rainier, MD
--  George Charles Koch - Painter and Founder of A. Salon, Ltd., an
    artist's service organization in DC
    

The judges also award special honors to the top three artists/pieces including the grand prize all-expenses-paid trip to Art Basel, the world's leading modern art exhibit in Switzerland. Second place receives tickets for two to Art Basel Miami, while third place takes home a specially customized local art experience. These three winners will be announced during the private opening on October 7th. The public will also have a chance to designate a "People's Choice Award" by casting votes at the exhibit and online at www.redbullartofcan.com.

The exhibit is located in the main lobby of Union Station and the free event runs October 8 - 19th. For more information, including a preview of the art or to vote online for "People's Choice Award," visit www.redbullartofcan.com. For press inquiries, please contact Kerri Holt at 347-952-5367 kerri.holt@us.redbull.com or Libby Tierney at 347-558-5691 elizabeth.tierney@us.redbull.com.

Photos can be found at www.redbull-photofiles.com.