Monday, July 07, 2008

Sports: Olympics artist Wyland begins 'Green' wall of China Project

6,500 meter long mural in Beijing with children from around the world raises support for children, environment, and 'Green Olympics'

Beijing (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -

WHAT: Renowned environmental artist Wyland, who began his mission to create 100 giant murals of marine life around the world more than 27 years ago, will complete the landmark project in the lead up to the Olympic Games in Beijing. With the help of thousands of children from around the globe, the artist will create one of the longest murals in the world, spanning more than 6,500 meters with canvases representing endangered or threatened marine wildlife from 205 nations. Joining Wyland in the effort will be renowned Chinese environmental artist Xikun Yuan. The project is a featured event of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Cultural Festival to promote the Green Olympics.

WHERE: Jin Tai Museum, 1 Nongzhan South Road, Chaoyang Park, Beijing

WHEN: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, July 7 - July 21, 2008. (Opening ceremony, 10 a.m., July 7 / Dedication ceremony 5 p.m., July 27).

BACKGROUND: Founded in 1981, the Whaling Wall project is the largest ongoing arts in public places program dedicated to environmental awareness. The murals have set world records for the largest paintings by one person and are seen by an estimated one billion people each year. Children around the world have been invited to join Wyland in painting more than 100 giant canvases, with sections representing the world's coasts, lakes, rivers, streams, and wetlands. The project will celebrate the role of children working together for environmental protection and promote the spirit of the Green Olympics, an international movement to encourage environmental awareness and action through the Olympic Games.

WHO: Laguna Beach, Calif.-based Wyland, 51, is an official artist for the U.S. Olympic Team. The artist commenced the first two giant canvases for "Hands Across the Oceans" at the United Nations Environment Program's International Children's Conference in Stavanger, Norway, June 17-21, with students from 100 countries.

QUICK FACTS
-- Nations, including Russia, Hungary, Brazil, Nepal, and Costa Rica have contributed canvases created in their own countries
-- Images will feature endangered or threatened marine life as included in the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) Red List.
-- The Wyland Foundation is a 501c3 non-profit organization that inspires people to care about our marine life and
habitats.

EDITORS:
For a complete press kit, with downloadable photos, visit:
http://www.wylandfoundation.org/index.cfm?mid=9&sid=41
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CONTACT: Wyland Foundation
Steve Creech
+1-949-436-2489
stevec@wylanddesign.com
Benjamin Chen
011-86-13439547456
benchen0811@yahoo.com

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