The BRIT Awards 2013 are proud to reveal the 2013 Award statue, designed by Damien Hirst. Hirst has become the third British creative to put his unique stamp on the iconic BRITs trophy.
On designing the statue Hirst said, "I am honoured to be asked to design this year's statue, it has become such an iconic award, I love the BRITs."
Since 2011 when the ‘blank canvas’ trophy was given its inaugural makeover by fashion designer Dame Vivienne Westwood, The BRITs have been committed to working with the most innovative and original artists – those who help to inspire the British creatives of the future. The 2012 trophy was designed by legendary pop artist Sir Peter Blake.
Visionary artist Hirst has continued the new tradition of awarding creativity with creativity. His work has been exhibited all over the world and is as iconic as the music celebrated at The BRIT Awards. His recent show at London's Tate Modern that was the most visited solo show and second-most visited exhibition in the gallery's history.
BRITs Chairman David Joseph said: “Damien is truly one of the most important British artists and his reimagining of the statue will make winning a 2013 BRIT an even more special proposition.”
It was recently announced that a new award is being introduced to the categories this year - the BRITs Global Success Award. This will be received by the act with the highest international sales achieved during the 2012 calendar year. These figures exclude UK sales. The BRIT Awards 2013 will also see the return of the British Live Act award - for the first time since 2009.
The BRIT Awards 2013 with MasterCard will see 11 bespoke Damien Hirst designed trophies presented on the night to those artists who have enjoyed extraordinary success over the last year, both in the UK and internationally. There is no higher accolade in British music. A 12th trophy will be presented to War Child in recognition of their incredible work as the charity celebrate their 20th year. Two awards (British Producer of the Year in association with the MPG Awards and the Critics’ Choice Award in association with War Child) will be presented in advance of the ceremony.
Full category list: British Male Solo Artist, British Female Solo Artist, British Breakthrough Act, British Group, British Live Act, Critics’ Choice, British Single, MasterCard British Album of the Year, BRITs Global Success, British Producer Of The Year, International Male Solo Artist, International Female Solo Artist, International Group, Special Recognition Award - To be awarded to War Child.
The BRIT Awards 2013 Wednesday 20th February 2013 at The O2 Arena, London
Exclusively broadcast live on ITV1- Presented by James Corden
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Notes to editors:
BRIT - British Record Industry Trust
The BRIT (British Record Industry Trust) Awards is organised by the BPI – the British recorded music industry association - which has over 400 record company members large and small who between them account for in excess of 90% of UK recorded music sales.The BRIT Awards 2013 with MasterCard will be the 33rd BRIT Awards, which has raised more than £14m for The BRIT Trust charity, whose main beneficiaries are the BRIT School for Performing Arts & Technology www.brit.croydon.sch.uk, Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy www.nordoff-robbins.org.uk and other selected charities which match the mission criteria.
Over 8,000 young people have been given free education and the opportunity to enter the BRIT School since its opening in 1991 and more than 10,000 children and adults have been helped by the extraordinary music therapy work carried out by Nordoff-Robbins.
ITV
ITV is the largest commercial television network in the UK. It is the home of popular television from the biggest entertainment events, to original drama, major sport, landmark factual series and independent news. It operates a family of channels including ITV1, ITV2, ITV3 and ITV4 and CITV which are broadcast free-to-air. ITV is also focused on delivering its programming across multiple platforms including itv.com, video on demand on cable television and other ‘closed’ platforms, mobile devices and games consoles. ITV Studios produces and sells programmes and formats in the UK and worldwide, and id comprised of ITV’s UK and international production operations, international distribution, home entertainment, publishing, merchandising and licensing.
MasterCard
MasterCard (NYSE: MA), www.mastercard.com, is a global payments and technology company. It operates the world’s fastest payments processing network, connecting consumers, financial institutions, merchants, governments and businesses in more than 210 countries and territories. MasterCard’s products and solutions make everyday commerce activities – such as shopping, traveling, running a business and managing finances – easier, more secure and more efficient for everyone. Follow us on Twitter @MasterCardNews, join the discussion on the Cashless Conversations Blog and subscribe for the latest news.
War Child
War Child protect children and young people from the brutal effects of conflict and help rebuild their lives.
We are on the ground in some of the worst conflict-affected places in the world, providing support that changes lives.
And we are there long after the TV cameras have gone home: for the immediate impacts and for the long-term, from emergencies to recovery. We’re there for the most vulnerable children whose homes, families and communities have been torn apart. This includes children living and working on the streets, exploited in the worst forms of child labour and child-survivors of sexual violence.
We work to change the cause and not symptoms. We do this by working with children and communities, not for them – supporting quality education for those least able to access it, safe livelihood opportunities for those who would otherwise be exploited, and daily protection from violations against children.
This is far bigger than we are. We’re on the ground helping tens of thousands of people and we’re lobbying governments and decision-makers to improve the lives of millions more.War Child currently work in Afghanistan, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Iraq, Uganda and Syria.
You can donate to War Child and find out more by going to www.warchild.org.uk If your company wants to get involved please contact fundraising@warchild.org.uk
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