Red Bull

For anyone who likes to think outside the box and defy the limits of artistic materials, Red Bull invites you to engage your imagination to create a masterpiece from recycled aluminum cans. The Art of Can is an open competition sponsored by Red Bull to encourage creative conservation through recycling the Red Bull can into any type of artwork, including sculpture, installation, collage, animation, a piece of furniture, or even a song.

The Art of Can competition has been inspiring innovative individuals across the globe, traveling to Austria, Germany, Holland, New Zealand, South Africa, and Switzerland. It first came to the US in 2005, debuting in Boston and made its way to Atlanta, Dallas, and Minneapolis in 2006 where nearly 650 applicants submitted artwork.

Anyone with the creative vision to reinterpret the Red Bull can as a material of art is encouraged to participate in this contest. There are no restrictions on age or experience; only a desire to express an artistic concept through aluminum cans is required to apply.

Submissions are now being accepted for the Red Bull Art of Can exhibits in Philadelphia and Chicago. Each exhibit will showcase the best 40 entries from their respective city. In each city judges will select a grand prize winner who will receive an all-expense paid trip for two to the prestigious Art Basel contemporary art fair in Basel, Switzerland.

The distinguished panel of judges and art critics will determine the winners based on three criteria: first, they will consider the merit of the Creative Concept, or overall idea behind the piece. Next, they will evaluate the Conceptual Execution of the artwork to determine how well it conveys the concept idea. Finally, the judges will asses the quality of Construction, taking into account special effort, unusual medium choice, and how well the piece is fabricated.

Artists from Philadelphia must register by June 13, 2007 to be considered for the exhibit to be held at the F.U.E.L. Collection October 19 – November 2, 2007. Chicago entrants must register by June 25, 2007 for the exhibition at the River East Art Center November 9 -18, 2007. Apply online at www.redbullartofcanusa.com where you can also see photos and artist interviews from last year’s competition.