International Glass Design Competition open to New Zealanders for first time

New Zealand designers have been included in a worldwide competition for excellence and innovation in the use of glass.

The Bombay Sapphire Foundation has announced the launch of the world’s biggest international glass award, the Bombay Sapphire Prize 2006 throwing the entry criteria wide open internationally.

Based in London, The Bombay Sapphire Foundation gives New Zealanders a tilt at the £20,000 (NZD$60,000) grand prize.

Now in its fifth year, the annual competition was originally established by the Bombay Sapphire Foundation to reward and promote the outstanding achievements of international artists, designers and architects working with glass.

In the past the Bombay Sapphire Prize has celebrated the work of some of the world’s most talented artists, designers and architects including: Barber Osgerby, Lorenz Bäumer, Lena Bergström, Tord Boontje, Paul Cocksedge, Foster and Partners, Thomas Heatherwick and Ross Lovegrove.

To highlight the work of talented new glass artists, designers and architects, the Bombay Sapphire Foundation has also announced that in 2006 an additional £5,000 (NZD$15,000) award will be presented to the most promising newcomer.

The Bombay Sapphire Foundation was set up in 2001 with the aim of supporting and rewarding the best in contemporary design. Members of the Foundation who will be judging the entries for the Bombay Sapphire Prize 2006 include the following international designers and glass experts: Ron Arad, Tom Dixon, Nicole Farhi, Thomas Heatherwick, Lesley Jackson, Dan Klein and Nadja Swarovski.

Commenting on this year’s Prize, Ron Arad said: “The big problem with glass is that it is such a seductive material, beautiful before you do anything with it, which makes it even more of a challenge for artists and designers to come up with really and truly extraordinary and outstanding work. The Bombay Sapphire Prize rewards those who rise to this challenge.”

The finalists short-listed for the Prize will be showcased in the Bombay Sapphire Blue Room exhibition which will open at the London Design Festival in September. The winner of the Bombay Sapphire Prize 2006 will be announced at an awards ceremony in London in October.

International artists, designers and architects who would like to enter their work for the Bombay Sapphire Prize 2006 or would like to find out more about the award should go to www.bombaysapphireprize.com

The deadline for entries is 16 June 2006.

Notes

Bombay Sapphire is currently the fastest growing premium gin brand in New Zealand and although it has been sold here for twenty years, the last four years have seen a significant increase in volume and market share.

New Zealand is one of the top performing markets globally for Bombay Sapphire, a big achievement given New Zealander’s affinity for gin. Gin is the number one white spirit sold in this country.

Bombay Sapphire is a proud supporter of design in New Zealand hosting Bombay Sapphire Cocktail experiences to support design related events throughout the country. Bombay Sapphire aims to continue this support and further their commitment to New Zealand design in 2006.

Why is Bombay Sapphire so special?

Unlike most gins, which boil their botanicals directly in the spirit to achieve their taste, Bombay Sapphire is distilled alone and the 10 uniquely combined botanicals from around the world are infused to achieve a much greater subtlety of taste. Based on a secret recipe from 1761, Bombay Sapphire is produced by passing the spirit vapour through the botanicals, which are held separately from the spirit in a perforated copper basket.

This process known as Vapour Infusion allows the gentle absorption of each of the aromatic flavours, resulting in a wonderfully balanced, crisp yet delicate finish; creating a versatility unmatched by other gins that can be savoured on its own in a classic martini cocktail, or in mixed cocktails.

ENDS