Press Releases

CFW and NOCA Join Million Artists in Record-breaking Work of Abstract Art

TORONTO, Ontario August 1, 2006 -- Cystic Fibrosis Worldwide and National Ovarian Cancer Association have recently accepted to be recipients of funds raised by the MillionArtists.com record-breaking attempt to make the world’s largest collaborative work of art.

Million Artists is a new project which aims at raising funds for medical charities while creating the world’s largest piece of collaborative abstract art. Each donor selects a pixel of color to become part of a huge abstract ’painting’. The project hopes to get a million people involved in this huge fundraising initiative. Donors don’t even have to be artists to take part, and donations are facilitated by PayPal or credit card.

“Here is a crazy but amazing idea,” said abstract artist Tim Seaward of England. “Produce the largest collaborative piece of abstract art by one million artists. This concept is the brainchild of Eugene Pik, who, with the help of Canadian programmer Anthony Barker, created MillionArtists.com. News is spreading and many people are taking an active part as they realize the different creative and artistic opportunities the project offers. It could also be a Turner Prize contender.”

This project is not at all exclusive. People don’t actually have to be an artist to take part. All they need to do is select a color and apply it to one pixel, which is then randomly added to the picture. At this point the participant may begin to feel an irresistible desire to return frequently to see how their picture is evolving, which is exactly what an artist experiences when producing a work of art.

Upon completion of this fascinating project, an abstract image of one million different colored pixels chosen by one million different types of people from all walks of life and backgrounds will result.

Cystic Fibrosis Worldwide is an international, nonprofit organization working to promote access to appropriate care and education to people affected by cystic fibrosis and to improve the knowledge of CF among medical professionals and governments worldwide. CFW supports the search for a cure, promotes linkage between countries in order to share experiences, research and education.

National Ovarian Cancer Association is dedicated to overcoming ovarian cancer. NOCA provides leadership by supporting women living with the disease and their families; raising awareness within the general public and among healthcare professionals; and funding research to develop reliable early detection techniques, improved treatments, and ultimately, a cure.

Contact:
Public Relations:
http://MillionArtists.com

Interactive “Abstract Painting” for Charity, to go Live in 27 Languages

Toronto, July 5, 2006 – The record-breaking attempt by MillionArtists.com to make the world’s largest collaborative work of art, while raising funds for medical charities, will go live in 27 languages today -- Wednesday July 5, 2006.

The Million Artists project – which is already raising funds for SickKids (The Hospital for Sick Children) and MSF (Médecins Sans Frontières / Doctors Without Borders) – is set to be translated into twenty-seven languages by a team of 54 international volunteer interpreters and proofreaders.

MillionArtists.com makes it possible for countless individuals to contribute to selected charities on a dollar-by-dollar basis, while participating in the creation of an abstract image of one million colored pixels. Concurrently, the endeavour is also working towards breaking the Guinness World Record for most contributors to a single piece of art. It is also hoped that additional international charities will be able to benefit from this idea, and various inquiries for support are currently being reviewed.

Since its inception, MillionArtists.com has attracted thousands of visitors and has started receiving media attention. Interest is spreading through word-of-mouth referrals, and the contributions are growing. Many of the collaborators have been personally affected by tragedy and thus feel compelled to participate and see how the collaborative “canvas” is progressing.

Contact: Eugene Pik

SickKids and MSF Join Million Artists in Record-breaking Work of Abstract Art

TORONTO, Ontario May 7, 2006 -- SickKids Foundation and MSF Canada have recently accepted to be recipients of funds raised by the MillionArtists.com record-breaking attempt to make the world’s largest collaborative work of art.

Million Artists is a new project which aims at raising funds for medical charities while creating the world’s largest piece of collaborative abstract art. Each donor selects a pixel of color to become part of a huge abstract ’painting’. The project hopes to get a million people involved in this huge fundraising initiative. Donors don’t even have to be artists to take part, and donations are facilitated by PayPal or credit card.

“Here is a crazy but amazing idea,” said abstract artist Tim Seaward of England. “Produce the largest collaborative piece of abstract art by one million artists. This concept is the brainchild of Eugene Pik, who, with the help of Canadian programmer Anthony Barker, created MillionArtists.com. News is spreading and many people are taking an active part as they realize the different creative and artistic opportunities the project offers. It could also be a Turner Prize contender.”

This project is not at all exclusive. People don’t actually have to be an artist to take part. All they need to do is select a color and apply it to one pixel, which is then randomly added to the picture. At this point the participant may begin to feel an irresistible desire to return frequently to see how their picture is evolving, which is exactly what an artist experiences when producing a work of art.

Upon completion of this fascinating project, an abstract image of one million different colored pixels chosen by one million different types of people from all walks of life and backgrounds will result.

SickKids is a Canadian national treasure, at the international forefront of pediatric health care and research. Since its foundation in 1875, The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) has been a place of healing and of hope.

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) - or Doctors Without Borders - was started by a small group of French doctors determined to find a way to respond rapidly and effectively to public health emergencies, with complete independence from political, economic and religious influences. MSF was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1999. Today, it is the world’s leading independent international medical relief organization.

Contact:
Public Relations:
http://millionartists.com

MillionArtists.com Is To Set Guinness World Record Using Internet Technology

Toronto, Ontario November 2, 2005 -- Two computer professionals, Anthony Barker and Eugene Pik, found a way to set new Guinness World record using Internet technology. Their idea is to invite one million artists from all over the world to place one pixel each on the blank web page. The artists design the color and brightness of their pixel and then the computer randomly places the pixel on the picture. The artists are authenticated using reputable online financial system.

Eugene was motivated by a Guinness World Record set by Jim Campbell who designed a picture painted by 25,297 people in 1998. “I wanted to use Internet and computer technology to invite a million artists to break that record,” Eugene said, “however I could not identify the artists to provide verified and audited measurement required by Guinness World Record”.

Eugene kept looking for the solution until he found Alex Tew’s MillionDollarHomepage project that sells ads placed on the web page; one pixel for one dollar. “At that moment it suddenly dawned on me” Eugene said, “that artist authentication can be achieved by PayPal, trustworthy online financial system”.

MillionArtists.com web site is created by Anthony Barker and Eugene Pik and is aiming to set a new Guinness World record using the internet technologies and reputable online financial system.

Contact:
Public Relations:
http://millionartists.com