Creative energy

The Red Bull Art of Can Contests, where Red Bull cans are transformed into works of art, has been inspiring creative artists the world over since 1997. New sculptures, pictures and installations by Swedish artists can now be admired at the latest Art of Can exhibition in Stockholm.

The gloriously colourful series of pictures, the futuristic robot, the shining metallic angel and the installation made out of chairs - they all have something in common: every single one of these works of art currently on show at the Stockholm Cultural Center (Kulturhuset) is made of Red Bull cans.
Some 200 exhibits were submitted for the latest Red Bull Art of Can Contest, of which 76 were selected by the jury to go through to the final and to be put on public display.

David Ericsson kicked ass

Swedish artist David Ericsson was crowned winner of the contest. He used Red Bull cans as the raw material for chairs that were as aesthetic as they were functional - giving his masterpiece the provocative title "Ass kicker". "Swedish people need something to give them a kick start," he said, explaining his choice of title. He was also inspired "by the fact that Red Bull gives you energy."

Art is what you make of it

The idea of turning Red Bull cans into works of art was first put in to practice in 1997 with the Red Bull Art of Can Contest. The contests, which have been held in the USA, South Africa, Germany, Austria, Great Britain and Switzerland, among other venues, are open to both renowned artists as well as anybody with a creative streak. Entrants are also free to choose how to express their creativity: they're allowed to paint, glue, weld or sculpt - the only constraint is that a Red Bull can has to be the inspiration behind each piece.