Architect Frank Gehry Creates Official Artwork for the 54th Annual Grammy Awards®

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Dec. 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Recording Academy® is pleased to announce its selection of world-famous architect and multitalented artist Frank Gehry to create the official artwork for the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards®. The work integrates traditional GRAMMY® iconography with Gehry's unique architectural style in a piece that mirrors The Recording Academy's commitment to celebrating excellence and diversity in art and culture year-round. It will be used as the official artwork for the world's premier music event and will grace the cover of the GRAMMY Awards program book, telecast tickets and promotional poster. The 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards will be held Feb. 12, 2012, at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles and will be broadcast live on the CBS Television Network at 8 p.m. (ET/PT). For updates and breaking news, please visit The Recording Academy's social networks on Twitter and Facebook: www.twitter.com/thegrammys, www.facebook.com/thegrammys. For a complete nominations list, please visit www.grammy.com.  

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"We are thrilled to announce our collaboration with world-renowned architect Frank Gehry on our official artwork for the GRAMMY Awards and the opportunity to further The Academy's dedication to celebrating the arts in every discipline," said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy. "Frank's exemplary creative accomplishments through a variety of artistic platforms have been inspirational. We are honored to work with such a well-respected talent who has served as an influential figure within the arts on a global scale."

"I have been fortunate to have worked with and become friends with some of the top musicians in classical music," said Gehry. "They are my inspiration and my heroes. I am pleased to work with the GRAMMYs to help celebrate all of these talented people."

Hallmarks of Gehry's work include a particular concern that people exist comfortably within the spaces that he creates and an insistence that his buildings address the context and culture of their sites. His work has earned him numerous significant awards. His buildings have received more than 100 national and regional American Institute of Architects awards. In 1989 he was awarded the Pritzker Architecture Prize, a premiere accolade in the field of architecture. In 1994 he became the first recipient of the Dorothy and Lillian Gish Prize for lifetime contribution to the arts. In 1998 he received the National Medal of Arts.

Some of Gehry's notable projects include the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao in Spain; the Nationale-Nederlanden Building in Prague; the Jay Pritzker Pavilion and BP Bridge in Millennium Park in Chicago; and the residential tower at 8 Spruce Street in New York City. Current projects include the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi. Outside the field of architecture, Gehry's projects have ranged from creating exclusive designs for a jewelry line, painting, sculpture, and other works with mixed media, which are currently on display in museums worldwide.

Gehry has held teaching positions at some of the world's most prestigious institutions including Harvard University, the University of Southern California and Yale University, where he still teaches today.

Established in 1957, The Recording Academy is an organization of musicians, producers, engineers and recording professionals that is dedicated to improving the cultural condition and quality of life for music and its makers. Internationally known for the GRAMMY Awards — the preeminent peer-recognized award for musical excellence and the most credible brand in music — The Recording Academy is responsible for groundbreaking professional development, cultural enrichment, advocacy, education and human services programs. The Academy continues to focus on its mission of recognizing musical excellence, advocating for the well-being of music makers and ensuring music remains an indelible part of our culture. For more information about The Academy, please visit www.grammy.com. For breaking news and exclusive content, join the organization's social networks as a Twitter follower at www.twitter.com/thegrammys, a Facebook fan at www.facebook.com/thegrammys, and a YouTube channel subscriber at www.youtube.com/thegrammys.

SOURCE The Recording Academy