1000 Artists from 40 Countries Merge Digital Art and Environmental Activism

June 10, 2010 - PRLog -- Following a successful launch in Beijing, The A&I Gallery in Hollywood will host the North American premiere of Common Ground 2010, an exhibition of new media work at the intersection of art, technology, and eco-activism. This International touring display of fine art digital prints - all with an environmental theme - runs from July 8 - August 13, 2010. The collection was curated from more than 1,000 artists in 40 countries resulting in an exhibition limited edition prints and a Commemorative Book that highlight the works of 85 renowned and emerging digital artists. A portion of all proceeds generated from the touring exhibition will benefit non-profit organizations including the World Wildlife Fund, Global Giving, and The Global Environmental Institute.

An eco-friendly opening reception, featuring sustainable framing, organic edibles, live music, and more, will be held on Thursday, July 8th, from 7:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. at the A&I Gallery. The opening reception and exhibition are free and open to the public. A&I is located at 933 North Highland Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90038. Lot and street parking are available. For gallery information, please visit http://www.aandi.com/gallery/ or call 323-856-5280. Common Ground is presented in part by Hewlett-Packard Company and FujiFilm. To learn more about Common Ground's international exhibition, please visit http://www.CommonGround2010.com.

Santa Monica-based Common Ground was born from founder Larry Richard's desire to support artists and technologists in using their unique talents to communicate with each other - and by extension with the rest of the world - about issues common to every one of us on the planet: A clean environment for our communities and for our children. The Common Ground Collection speaks to this shared concern regardless of nationality, borders, or culture.

"There are a lot of buzz-words out there. Environmental responsibility. Green consciousness. Sustainable practices. We hear the words, but where’s the practical meaning beyond all the rhetoric and posturing? The truth is: We all inhabit the same home: Earth. Common Ground speaks clearly to this shared global experience. " says Richard.

Museum quality digital prints from the Common Ground Collection will be on display. They are provided by FujiFilm, a leading supplier of UV (Ultra Violet) cured inks, driving a positive environmental change in the printing industry. Limited editions of 50 will be available for purchase ($500-$1000).

A hardcover, limited edition commemorative book has been published with the support of Hewlett-Packard and will be available for purchase (79 art works, edition of 250, $60).
A portion of the print and commemorative book sales will be donated to non-profit organizations The World Wildlife Fund, Global Giving, and The Global Environmental Institute.

Common Ground successfully launched the first leg of its world tour in November 2008 at the Huan Tie Art Museum in Beijing, China to coincide with the Summer Olympics festivities in Beijing. Media coverage from the event can be reviewed at http://www.commonground2010.com/?page_id=6.  The Los Angeles exhibition at A&I marks the North American premiere, to be followed by exhibitions throughout the US, Canada, and Mexico through 2011. An open call to artists worldwide for additional digital art will be held in the Spring of 2011 in order to expand the Common Ground collection as it travels to London to coincide with the Summer Olympics in 2012.¨

Nearly 1,000 artists from 40 countries responded in 2008 to a global invitation for contributions to this art-meets-eco-activism collaboration. 85 pieces from 23 countries were curated into the collection by a diverse group of international artists, academics, and entrepreneurs, all with extensive experience in new media.
• Duan Jia, writer, director, animator, and professor at the Beijing Film Academy
• John & Margie Labadie, faculty at University of North Carolina at Pembroke
• Amelia Pellegrini, artist in Italy
• Zhou Ping, artist, professor at University Of China
• Victor Raphael, artist in Los Angeles
• Larry Richard, founder of Common Ground in Los Angeles
• Lu Shengzhang, artist, filmmaker, professor at University Of China
• Wang Shuipo, professor at Central Academy of Fine Art, China
• Clayton Spada, artist, curator, teacher, lecturer and workshop leader in Los Angeles
• Lu Xiaobo, vice chairman at Academy of Fine Arts and Design, Tsinghua University
• Lu Xuguang, artist, professor at Beijing Film Academy

A limited edition hardcover commemorative book featuring 79 digital art works from the collection was sponsored by HP and by A&I Digital Labs. Books are available for purchase at the A&I Gallery, throughout the North American Common Ground tour, and online at http://www.commonground2010.com/?page_id=12 for $60. 100% of book proceeds will be donated to the World Wildlife Fund, Global Giving, and The Global Environmental Institute.

Larry Richard, Common Ground Founder:

As a marketer and promoter, Richard has produced nationally touring art and technology events for more than 20 years. Gathering together artists, corporate sponsors, and innovative technologies, he has produced exhibitions, conferences, and public events, each drawing thousands of attendees while generating significant media coverage and public awareness. Past projects include: 'Shared Dreams', a collaboration of Cuban and US artists; the touring fine art photography exhibitions 'The Dezo Hoffman Collection' and 'The Legends of Rock' ; and 'Online Expo', a conference focused on internet technologies and opportunities. Since 2004, Richard has turned his attention to leveraging his experience to support his passion for a sustainable environment.

A&I Gallery:

A&I Gallery's mission is to raise awareness of talented artists in the photographic world and of charitable organizations. A&I began exhibiting photography in July of 2006 and has hosted eighteen exhibits and opening receptions since. The work shown has ranged greatly in content with photography as the common thread tying them all together. A&I Photographic & Digital Services sets the standard for fine art printing. Clients include world renowned photographers whose work is displayed in some of the most prestigious museums and galleries worldwide. The A&I Gallery is open Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Saturday 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. http://www.aandi.com/

FujiFilm:

Fujifilm is a leading supplier of UV (Ultra Violet) cured inks, which are driving a positive environmental change in the printing industry. Fujifilm’s UV inks are free of harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and are cured using ultra violet light. UV inks also consume less energy in the printing process, eliminating the need for traditional drying systems. Fujifilm has also developed new VOC-free digital inks that have no hazardous air pollutants and allow printers to emit lower amounts of VOCs than conventional solvent inks.  http://www.fujifilm.com/northamerica

Hewlett-Packard Company (HP):

HP has made a commitment to the environment by continuing to develop policies and initiatives that deliver increasingly high standards in all areas of environmental responsibility. “Environmental responsibility is good business. We’ve reached the tipping point where the price and performance of IT are no longer compromised by being green, but are now enhanced by it,” says Mark Hurd, Chairman and CEO. http://www.hp.com/

For more information, photos, or to arrange interviews, please contact Green Galactic’s Lynn Hasty at 213.840.1201 and lynn@greengalactic.com

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Merging digital art, technology and philanthropy to focus attention on – and raise money for – environmental projects worldwide. An international touring exhibition highlighting limited edition art and books focused on environmental stewardship.