- Winner of first theme of Digital Art Competition to be crowned at opening of new Infiniti Centre in Marseilles, South of France.
- 50th Infiniti Centre to open in Europe and the 15th to be unveiled in 2012.
- The ultimate destination for European tour of work of six finalists.
- Total votes for favourite pieces to be aggregated to reveal victor of ‘Inspired Performance’ theme.
Marseilles, France (15 March, 2012) – Infiniti, the luxury performance automotive brand from Japan, is to crown the first winner of their International Digital Art Competition at the launch party of the new Infiniti Centre in Marseilles, South of France. The boutique-hotel-style retail outlet, which is the vehiclemaker’s 50th showroom to be unveiled in Europe since 2009, and the 15th to open so far this year, will form the backdrop of the ceremony to award the victor of “Inspired Performance”, the inaugural theme of the contest, with a prize fund of €10,000.
The prestigious event on the 22nd March is the ultimate destination of the European showcase of the work belonging to the category’s six finalists who reflect the truly international nature of the competition coming from afar afield as the USA, Japan, and India. Their work is as equally diverse, spanning from beautifully-crafted sculptures to video projections which all in their own way, communicate the Japanese brand DNA and dynamic nature of the ‘Inspired Performance’ philosophy of Infiniti. During the past few months, these pieces have been at the heart of the celebrations marking the arrival of new Infiniti Centres located in some of the Continent’s most beautiful cities such as Madrid (Spain), and Luxembourg City (Grand Duchy of Luxembourg).
The opening of the latest site on the Mediterranean coast also hosts the last round of voting by guests to nominate their favourite installation submitted by the finalists during the ‘Inspired Performance’ theme, pieces which have been shortlisted by a highly distinguished panel of experts. These include Birgit Lohmann, Editor-in-Chief and Co-Founder of the online art, architecture and design magazine designboom, and Adrian Newey, Chief Technical Officer of the Red Bull Racing Formula One team. The total number of votes cast during the recent tour and those artists nominated in Marseilles, will be aggregated by Infiniti to select the winner of ‘Inspired Performance’ who will be handed a trophy during the evening.
Visitors to the official inauguration of Infiniti Centre Marseilles will equally be greeted by a stunning display of the latest range of high performance vehicles including the M35h Hybrid, as well as the Infiniti FX Sebastian Vettel Version. The Infiniti Inspired Performance Gallery will also include an exhibit of the unique works of Jacques Cochin, a talented photographer who brings together elements of fashion and Formula 1 to create stunning images depicting similarities between the sport and haute couture.
Commenting on the forthcoming event, Bernard Loire, Infiniti Vice President for Europe and the Middle East, explains: “The opening of Infiniti Centre Marseilles is a celebration of a double milestone for the brand. In addition to welcoming the 50th Centre and the City of Marseilles to our retail network, we are also looking forward to announcing the very first winner of our Digital Art Competition which has seen an exceptionally high standard of talent from across the globe. The evening will no doubt be a celebration of all the hard work of everyone who has participated in the initiative to date.”
Visit www.infinitireveal.com for further information regarding the tour of the Infiniti Digital Art Competition gallery.
INFINITI CENTRE MARSEILLES
Pont de Vivaux
Traverse de la Verrerie
Marseilles 13010
France W: www.infiniti.fr
T: +33 4 96 12 00 00
For further information on the Infiniti Digital Art Competition, visit www.designboom.com/infiniti or www.infiniti.eu (ends)
About Infiniti
Infiniti comes from Japan. Its line-up of performance sedans, coupés, convertibles, SUVs and crossovers is now being launched across the globe through a dedicated network of Infiniti Centres or dealerships which share a commitment to individualised and exceptional customer service. For more information, see Infiniti.com Press information, Photographs and videos are available from www.infinitipress.eu. No password is required.
Amel Boubaaya,
Lifestyle
M: +41 79 399 83 19
E: a.boubaaya@infiniti.ch
Wayne Bruce,
Communications Director
M: +44 7768 802176
E: wayne.bruce@infiniti.eu
Simon Wittenberg,
Infiniti Lifestyle Communications Agency
T: +44 207 491 9934
E: simon@sidhuandsimon.com
About Designboom
The world's first web-based art, architecture and design magazine, designboom publishes key contemporary issues and critiques of all aspects of art, architecture and design through the organisation of design exhibitions and collaboration with leading companies on the sponsorship of international design competitions. Designboom encourages a continuing dialogue between creative professionals, industry and society.
PR contact:
Jenny Filippetti
E: jenny@designboom.com