Nike announces the launch of a brand new annual programme to support and reward street-inspired artists in Europe. Devised by AKQA, 1/1 (one of one) invites artists to submit work to an online gallery that will be judged by Nick Knight’s SHOWstudio and challenges the continent’s top talent to create the ultimate limited edition to the brief, ‘ART OF FOOTBALL’.

The programme is open to anyone, from filmmakers and photographers to graf artists and illustrators - students or upcoming pros. Entrants will compete for a life-changing accolade: to exhibit in a unique ART OF FOOTBALL show alongside 11 of the world’s most respected creative talents. The show takes place in Basel, Switzerland, and coincides with the world’s leading contemporary art fair, Art Basel and the start of the European Football Championships 2008.

Finally, one winner will be chosen to have their work immortalised on a limited edition series of Nike Dunks, the legendary shoes, set to tour the sneaker-temples of Europe. The best work from the whole programme will also feature in a hardcover 1/1 design book distributed through premium design outlets.

Commenting on the campaign, AKQA Executive Creative Director, Daniel Bonner, said: “It’s not enough for brands simply to talk the talk; they have to walk the walk, offering new kinds of experiences that genuinely enrich, entertain and engage people. 1/1 bears all the hallmarks of a successful campaign for the digital age: it uses technology in new and inventive ways, it provides the audience with an opportunity to be part of something genuinely unique and therefore creating a huge incentive to participate, it inspires consumers to define the outcome and – most importantly – it relies on a simple insight: European non-mainstream art is currently under-represented and under-rewarded. We’re looking forward to seeing that situation change.”

Programme launch: April 15th, 2008

Submissions close: May 18th, 2008

Basel exhibition: June 8th, 2008

Source: www.nike1-1.com