Video: Exclusive FAGE(R) Total Yogurt-Inspired Art Unveiled at First Annual Gen Art Vanguard New Contemporary Art Fair

JOHNSTOWN, N.Y., Dec. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- FAGE Total Greek yogurt will unveil three one-of-a-kind FAGE-inspired contemporary art works at the First Annual "Gen Art Vanguard New Contemporary Art Fair" in Miami, December 4-7, 2008. The artworks, inspired by the brand's unique production, creamy taste and ridiculously thick texture, were created by contemporary artists exhibiting at the Vanguard Art Fair: James Marshall (Dalek), Gary Baseman and AJ Fosik. As part of this collaboration, the artists will take part in "FAGE Studio -- Discover. Taste. Create." a series of art sessions with children from Arts for Learning, a local non-profit organization. In support of the organization, both James Marshall (Dalek) and Gary Baseman's art pieces will be auctioned off to enrich lives and further education of the arts.

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FAGE Total worked with the Fair's director and curator, Francesco LoCastro, to select and guide the chosen artists in the creation of the works. "Each artist was able to work with different FAGE Total brand attributes including production, taste, and texture to create a unique piece of pop art inspired by the product," said Franceso LoCastro. The three artists include:

    -- James Marshall (Dalek) is a North Carolina-based artist, whose work
       revels in a profusion and hyper-abundance of color and planes of space.

       "FAGE Factory" was sparked from the idea of creating a world...a place
       otherworldly where yogurt is made. The image is meant to be fun, a
       world to get lost in, where the viewer will engage and create their own
       story. It conveys the fluidity, richness, creaminess of the yogurt
       while referencing aspects of the ancient Greek culture from which it
       stems.

    -- Gary Baseman, one of the leaders of the Los Angeles underground art
       movement, Mr. Baseman blurs the line between toy culture and fine art
       with his strong iconic images, both playful and dark, childlike and
       adult, surreal, driven and thought-provoking.

       "Magi of Creamy Goodness" was inspired by the flavors and textures of
       the product and the imagery represents the creamy goodness and notions
       of sticky sweet innocence of childhood.

    -- AJ Fosik is a Philadelphia based sculptor who creates animal
       abstractions by drawing inspiration from his background of creating
       street art and signage.

       "All Flesh is Grass" features a bear whose sculpture base (center)
       reflects the appearance of the product/yogurt in color, as well as
       creating the paws to look as if they're dunked in the creamy substance
       or, in the case of the raised paw, have just been lifted out of the
       yogurt. The bear is multi-colored -- red, blue and white -- to reflect
       brand imagery.

"We're excited to celebrate emerging artists at the 'Vanguard New Contemporary Art Fair' and support artists through Arts for Learning," said Mr. Ioannis Papageorgiou, President and COO, Fage USA Dairy Industry, Inc. "With the creation of the exclusive FAGE Total-inspired art works and by pushing creative boundaries and challenging convention, we continue to embrace and celebrate the passion that the FAGE Total brand evokes."

Arts for Learning Auction

Starting on December 4th, two of the exclusive FAGE Total Artistry pieces will be put up for auction with 100 percent of the proceeds going to Arts for Learning, a local non-profit organization dedicated to enriching young lives through the promotion of the arts and education as continued support for creative expression.

Both James Marshall (Dalek) and Gary Baseman's FAGE Total Artistry pieces will be available to the public for auction online at http://stores.ebay.com/fagetotalartistry from December 4 - 11, 2008. To participate in the auction, users will enter a minimum bid amount on the art piece. If not already an eBay user, please register at www.eBay.com.

FAGE Studio -- Discover. Taste. Create.

Additionally each of the three artists will participate in "FAGE Studio -- Discover. Taste. Create." art sessions with children from the Arts for Learning organization during the Vanguard Art Fair. A classroom-like atmosphere will allow students to learn from these renowned artists and create their impressions of the world.

    -- AJ Fosik - Thursday, December 4th, 10:00am to 12:00pm EST
    -- James Marshall (Dalek) - Saturday, December 6th, 10:00am to 12:00pm EST
    -- Gary Baseman - Saturday, December 6th, 12:30pm to 2:30pm EST

FAGE Total Artistry will be unveiled at the first annual "Gen Art Vanguard New Contemporary Art Fair" in Miami, Thursday - Sunday, December 4-7, 2008. The exhibit will be featured in Booth 1 and 2 in Charcoal Studios, 2135 NW First Avenue, Miami, FL.

About FAGE Total Greek Yogurt

FAGE Total Greek Yogurt is excited to infuse the art world with the same unique vision and energy that it brought to the yogurt industry over 82 years ago, making Greek yogurt a hot commodity among health conscious consumers. A leading global brand of all-natural, premium yogurt made in the USA, FAGE Total Greek yogurt offers a distinctively rich, creamy fresh dairy flavor and texture that is uncommonly luxurious. Made of only two ingredients, live cultures and milk, FAGE is all-natural, free of additives, preservatives, and sweeteners, and has higher quantities of protein than other yogurts. It is available in FAGE Total Classic, 0%, 2% and 5% as well as with sidecars of strawberry, cherry, peach and honey in the Classic and 2% varieties.

When people try FAGE Total and experience its thick texture and deliciously creamy taste - they fall in love with it. This passion parlays into incredible brand loyalty and almost fanatical advocacy of FAGE Total yogurt. For more information, visit www.FageUSA.com.

About Arts for Learning

Arts for Learning's mission is simple: to advance teaching and learning through the arts and community cultural resources. In 2000, Arts for Learning (A4L) was founded as a partnership with Miami-Dade County Public Schools, Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, and Young Audiences, Inc. a national leader in arts in education programs. Through its arts-integrated programs, A4L uses imaginative techniques that inspire creativity and gives students the tools to become critical thinkers and lifelong learners. In the 2008-09 school year, A4L will serve over 15,000 children and youth by closely working with teachers; artists and cultural organizations; after-school and summer camp sites; preschool and school programs; and family and community festivals. For more information, please visit www.a4lmiami.org.

About Gen Art Vanguard New Contemporary Art Fair

Gen Art Vanguard presented by FAGE is a New Contemporary Art Fair founded by Gen Art to provide a fine art exhibition platform for emerging artists and to give leading contemporary art galleries access to an international network of collectors. As the first annual art fair of its kind, Vanguard represents a new forum, committed to advocating the historical significance of New Contemporary, while showcasing cutting edge talent that is mastering the amalgamation of Fine Art and mainstream culture. The goal of the art fair is to further advance the dialogue of new contemporary art movements, from their cultural roots to their current influence. The fair is free and open to the public Thursday, December 4 from 4 to 6 pm and Friday December, 5 through Sunday, December 7 from 10 am to 6 pm -- with a VIP and Press Preview Thursday, December 4 from 10 am to 4 pm and the Vanguard Official Party Friday, December 5 from 8 pm to midnight. For more information on Gen Art Vanguard Art Fair, special programming and ticket information for the VIP Preview and Party, please visit www.genart.org/x/vanguard.

Gen Art is the nation's leading arts and entertainment organizations dedicated to showcasing emerging fashion designers, filmmakers, musicians and visual artists. Gen Art produces over 120 events annually, ranging from week-long film festivals to massive star-studded fashion shows, live music performances, art exhibitions, multimedia events and more. For more information about Gen Art, please visit www.genart.org or call 305.695.8200.