Audi Art Car

Audi was the official automotive sponsor of Art Chicago, America's longest-running international modern and contemporary art fair. During Art Chicago 2007, Audi introduced the Audi RS4 Art car created by Brazilian-born Pop artist Romero Britto.

Involvement in contemporary art and design has long been a component of Audi's corporate culture - partnering with some of the world's most renown shows - among them Design Miami 2006, the Armory Show 2007 in New York and latest Art Chicago. "Being involved in cutting-edge art events is a natural fit for Audi as a progressive premium brand" says Johan de Nysschen, Executive Vice President in charge of Audi of America. "Art Chicago is another opportunity for us to demonstrate our commitment to design by exhibiting the RS 4 Art Car which is a piece of art on its own."

Chris Kennedy, President of the Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc., adds: "We are very proud to have Audi come on board as exclusive automotive sponsor of Art Chicago. Audi has long been recognized a trendsetter in automotive design and dedicated to exploring innovative ideas and make visions come true which reflects the spirit of Art Chicago."

The Audi RS 4 is the ultimate in high-performance luxury, taking performance and design to the next level with its compelling and distinctive presence, 420-hp V8 engine and quattro all-wheel drive.

Britto, a modern day pop culture icon, has been a fixture on the international art scene since 1989 when he was commissioned by Absolut Vodka, along with Keith Haring and Andy Warhol to design a bottle label for the company. Following on the heels of Absolut, Britto's whimsical Pop Art is consistently commissioned for corporate collections from around the world.

The Audi RS4 art car is his most recent project. Being a car enthusiast, art cars have always been among Britto's favorite projects. "For the Audi RS4, I wanted to create something that would combine sophistication, dynamism and fun on one hand, but also include the aspect of a future generation on the other, as Audi is an innovative and leading brand", Britto says. "This is why I came to choose the portrait of a woman as it incorporates all these attributes."

Following its debut at the exclusive Art Chicago Opening Party, the Audi RS4 Art Car will embark on a tour of some of the world's most captivating cities between New York and Mexico D. F. Super-bowl winning Quarterback Tom Brady will be the first to drive the Audi RS4 Art car. The 'Audi RS4 Art Car Collectors' Tour' will culminate in South Beach, Miami, where it will be the centerpiece of a Live Auction benefiting Best Buddies International, a non-profit organization founded by Anthony Kennedy Shriver.

Romero Britto is a longtime supporter and friend of Best Buddies. He most recently donated his image 'Best Buddies' to the Best Buddies Artist Collection featured at Art Chicago.

About Art Chicago.
America's longest running international contemporary and modern art fair Art Chicago 2007 continues a 20-year legacy as the most influential event of its kind. Making its new home The Merchandise Mart, the epicenter for high design and luxury goods, Art Chicago takes it rightful place as one of the world's most important art events. Sophisticated collectors and art aficionados will find more than 125 of the world's most influential gallerists, featuring thousands of art works from the most influential and exciting artists in the contemporary art market today.

About Romero Britto.
Vivid color, joyful themes and bold compositions are the fundamental elements that have led Romero Britto to become premiere Pop Artist of our time. Britto creates a completely new expression that reflects his optimistic faith in the world around him while alluding to influences of early and modern masters. Today he is collected by Arnold Schwarzenegger, David Caruso, Pele, Andre Agassi, Ted Kennedy, and Eileen Guggenheim among others

(source: Audi)