Last Saturday, a world record was set at Messe Wien (Viennese exhibition center). On 187 square meters, 253 people created the largest 3D bodypainting image in the world. It showed an underwater landscape – with a critical message.
The underwater world is fantastic, but it needs our protection. Since last year, Martin Aigner and Michael Szirota have been working intensively on their REEFCALENDAR project. In it, they came up with a calendar that shows the beautiful side of the ocean, as well as highlights the damage caused by Man.
For this year, the two men did something very special to draw more attention on this important topic. Together with three-time World Champion for Bodypainting Gabriela Hajek-Renner, a photo shoot was organized on 19 August 2017 at the Viennese exhibition center.
For nearly eight hours, the Hajek-Renner and her 60-strong team positioned 253 volunteers and painted their bodies. At 4.45pm, Aigner photographed the final image of the crane at a height of 10 meters.
On that day, the largest world’s 3Dpainted bodypainting image was created, covering an area of 187m2. The image would be prominently featured on the front cover in the REEFCALENDER 2018.
"We have painted a colorful and intact underwater world with turtles, sharks, fish, corals and many species that have a home in our world's seas," said Szirota. "Unfortunately, perfectly intact underwater worlds are rarely seen. Problems caused by climate change, industry or tourism are seriously affecting the underwater world.“
"It's nice to have a world record, but it's much more than just that! It is important for us to sensitize, but also to bring together," emphasized the project‘s two creators.
REEFCALENDAR 2018 will be presented in Vienna at the end of October and will be available for sale from then on. You can reserve your personal copy now at the website. At the end of August, a crowdfunding campaign will start, and this will also be regarded as a pre-order phase. Unlike in the previous year, however, this no longer serves as a means of financing. Thanks to the strong partners and sponsors, the funds for this year‘s production has already been secured!
The proceeds of the sales are directed towards the benefit of the marine ecosystem. In the first year, it resulted in the construction of an artificial coral reef in the Maldives.
Further information: www.reefcalendar.org
Herbert
21st August 2017
