Wed Mar 25, 2009 7:12p.m. UTC
MEDIA RELEASE: ICONIC OBAMA ARTIST JOINS EARTH HOUR
Shepard Fairey, the artist who created the iconic imagery for Barack Obama in the
recent US Presidential Election, has agreed to create artwork for WWF's 2009 Earth
Hour.
Advertising agency Leo Burnett and WWF have developed a campaign, called 'Vote Earth',
to run across all markets to raise awareness of Earth Hour, a global initiative
inviting people worldwide to switch off their lights on 28 March at 8.30pm to show
their support for action on climate change. To help give this idea global impact,
Leo Burnett commissioned Shepard Fairey to be part of the team in developing the
iconic artwork.
Shepard Fairey said he is keen to be part of the campaign and to help tackle the
important global issue of climate change.
"Of all the crises we're facing right now, I think the environmental one is the
biggest – bigger than the economy, bigger than terrorism. It's serious, but I'm
hopeful about it, because I feel like every single person can make a difference
and be part of the greater solution.
If I can use my art in any way to have a positive impact, I'm glad to do it," he
said.
India, the world's second most populated country with the second fastest growing
economy, will join Earth Hour's global call for action on climate change for the
first time.
CEO of Leo Burnett's Sydney Todd Sampson said 'Vote Earth' is a campaign designed
to unite the world as one people in the world's first global election - where your
light switch is your vote.
"Switching off your lights for Earth Hour is a vote for earth, while conversely,
leaving them on is a vote for global warming," said Sampson.
Earth Hour Executive Director, Andy Ridley, said the messages inherent in Shepard's
work fit very well with the Earth Hour brand. "Earth Hour has proved it can bring
together and give voice to millions of people around the world on climate change.
"By its very nature, Earth Hour is the essence of grassroots action for positive
change, which is a theme that Shepard Fairey was able to evoke so successfully through
his 'Change, Progress, Hope' artwork for the recent Obama campaign," Mr Ridley said.
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For more information please contact:
Billy Gentle
Earth Hour Global
T: +61 2 8202 1243 / M: +61 (0) 410 161 789
E: bgentle@wwf.org.au
Andrew Sedger
Earth Hour Global
T: +61 2 8202 1224 / M: +61 (0) 438 387 792
E: asedger@wwf.org.au
About Shepard Fairey
Shepard Fairey is a contemporary artist, graphic designer and illustrator who emerged
from the skateboarding scene and became known initially for his "Andre the Giant
Has a Posse" sticker campaign. His work became more widely known in the 2008 United
States Presidential Election, specifically his Barack Obama "HOPE" poster. The Institute
of Contemporary Art, Boston calls him one of today's best known and most influential
street artists. He usually omits his first name. His work is included in the collections
at The Smithsonian, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art
in New York, and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
About Earth Hour
Earth Hour is a global WWF climate change initiative. Individuals, businesses, governments
and communities are invited to turn out their lights for one hour on Saturday March
28, 2009 at 8:30 PM to show their support for action on climate change. The event
began in Sydney in 2007, when 2 million people switched off their lights. In 2008,
more than 50 million people around the globe participated. In 2009, Earth Hour aims
to reach out to 1 billion people in 1,000 cities.
About WWF
WWF is one of the world's largest and most respected independent conservation organizations,
with almost five million supporters and a global network active in more than 100
countries. WWF's mission is to stop the degradation of the earth's natural environment
and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by conserving
the world's biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources
is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption