Celebrated Artist Romero Britto Shares "Best Buddies Friendship Bear" and "The Big Apple" With The Big Apple

NEW YORK, June 22, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Pop Artist Romero Britto's sculptures are now being displayed to the public in New York City. Britto's visit to New York included a ribbon-cutting ceremony to unveil a sculpture exhibition at Time Warner Center and his first visit to the new installation site of "The Big Apple," a sculpture to be viewed by millions at the American Airlines Concourse in John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK).

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110622/NY20578 )

Britto's sculptures are located at the public spaces of Time Warner Center at Columbus Circle where they will be displayed to the public through fall of this year. Britto, who believes art is too important not to share, has become an artistic activist through charitable organizations worldwide, including Best Buddies International.

During his visit, Britto participated in the ribbon-cutting ceremony of this exhibit at the Time Warner Center together with Anthony Kennedy Shriver, Founder and Chairman of Best Buddies International, and Stephen Ross, chairman and CEO of Related Companies, the New York- based real estate development and management company for Time Warner Center.

The featured monumental sculpture is the "Best Buddies Friendship Bear," created and specially published through the generosity of the artist to benefit Best Buddies International, a non-profit organization with a mission to foster one-to-one friendships between people with and without intellectual disabilities.

"Romero Britto has brilliantly captured the spirit, friendship and energy of the Best Buddies movement with the Best Buddies Friendship Bear. His support, generosity and intense passion for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities is unmatched by any one else, and for that I am eternally grateful," said Anthony K. Shriver.

Stephen Ross, chairman and CEO of Related Companies, explained, "Time Warner Center is proud of the relationship we have formed with the iconic artist Romero Britto. The Center is committed to providing an engaging and culturally rich atmosphere where art is celebrated daily and Britto's work is a continuation of that purpose."

Britto also visited, for the first time, one of his most-photographed pieces, "The Big Apple" at JFK Airport. The sculpture was a gift from Mrs. Eunice Kennedy Shriver to JFK Airport and was re-dedicated to the City of New York at the event.

"It is an honor to showcase Romero Britto's 'The Big Apple' at American Airlines' Terminal 8 at JFK Airport," said Art Torno, American Airlines Vice President – New York. "The playful, brightly-colored sculpture welcomes all travelers and underscores our facility as one of the world's premier domestic and international gateways. It is also in keeping with American Airlines' role as a major supporter of the arts and culture community in the Greater New York area."

Britto's works, which reflect his optimistic faith in the world around him, are characterized for his intense colors, pop themes and commanding compositions. He created the largest art installation ever in Hyde Park, London at 45 feet tall: a pyramid in commemoration of the return of the King Tutankhamen exhibition to London in 2007. He also created a living canvas with Cirque du Soleil during the 2007 Superbowl Halftime show. Recently, Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff asked Britto to create the logo and artwork for the 9.4 billion BRL Stork Network project. The program will reach over 60 million babies and mothers in Brazil.

About Romero Britto

ROMERO BRITTO is an artistic activist for charitable organizations worldwide and most of all an artist who believes art is too important not to share.  Britto donates to over 300 charitable organizations a year.  He has met with Presidents, Ambassadors and dignitaries around the world facilitating programs through his art to promote literacy and peace.  Not a silent activist, for four years, Britto has been an invited to be a speaker at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.  Romero Britto was also named an inaugural founding benefactor of the Harvard International Negotiation Program. Britto is committed to developing and supporting the powerful role art will continue to play in world issues. www.britto.com/

SOURCE Romero Britto