Tuesday, June 8, 2010

World Cup 2010!

Ronaldo World Cup 2010
I was commissioned by Wieden + Kennedy to carve 66 crayons for Nike's promotion of World Cup 2010!  Eleven special recipients received these boxes... I have no idea who got them, but I'm so jealous!  W+K is amazing to work with and the project was a welcomed challenge!  I had 18 days to make around 70 crayons, there was a week I slept 3 hours a night.  Enthusiasm and great communication from the team at W+K really helped my progress.  BIG THANKS TO:
Kelly Wright
Matt Blum (& Wendy)
Krystle Mortimore
Brad Simon
and the WHOLE TEAM!
Also a big thanks to John Jay for having my work in your office!

Clamshell Open

Clamshell Open
The clam-shell presentation box.


Clamshell Closeup
The contents: the wooden carrier also serves as the crayon's base.

Base Standing
The crayons in their base.

All Pieces
All of the pieces:
The design team at Wieden Kennedy made the box, base and contents.  I made the crayons.  They also chose the colors, it was a metallic/stone theme.  I've never worked with metallics or white before.  I'm a BIG fan of the silver and white crayons now. 
Photos courtesy of Wieden + Kennedy

Fronts
The 6 figures that are in each box.  In the final version Robinho (far left in Silver) sticks his tongue out slightly and Rooney (Grey) has his arm folded instead of raised above his head.  I wish I could have captured Rooney's signature pose, but it was impossible considering the form of a crayon.

Cannavaro World Cup 2010
Fabio Cannavaro in Antique Brass from Crayola.  This color was introduced in 1998 in the 120 box set.

Drogba World Cup 2010
Didier Drogba in Copper from Crayola. This color was introduced in 1957 and is Charles Schulz's favorite color from Crayola.

Ribery World Cup 2010
Franck Ribery in Gold from Crayola.  The color was introduced in 1949 in the 48 box set.

Robinho World Cup 2010
Robinho in Silver from Crayola.  This color was introduced with Gold in 1949 in the 48 box set.

Ronaldo World Cup 2010
Cristiano Ronaldo in White from Crayola. Introduced in the Studio & School 12 box in 1903

Rooney World Cup 2010
Wanye Rooney in Timberwolf from Crayola.  Introduced in 1993 in the Big Box of 96.

Here is Nike's Write the Future World Cup spot.  I love the part where they start printing "Wayne" name bracelets!

http://www.youtube.com/user/nikefootball
at

67 comments:

  1. BettyJune 8, 2010 at 11:55 PM

    That is so totally cool Diem! Congratulations on getting such an awesome project done!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Diem ChauJune 9, 2010 at 12:10 AM

    Thanks Betty!

    ReplyDelete
  3. doroJune 9, 2010 at 1:24 AM

    congratulations!!!!
    fantastic work! ;D
    greetings

    ReplyDelete
  4. Diem ChauJune 9, 2010 at 1:33 AM

    Thanks Doro!

    ReplyDelete
  5. ACJune 9, 2010 at 4:02 AM

    awesome! congratulations, what a cool project.

    ReplyDelete
  6. CheriJune 9, 2010 at 6:28 AM

    These are fabulous and bound to be the most amazing collector's items. I also love that you include the provenance of each crayon color - I love it when artists pay homage to their materials.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Mimi Torchia Boothby WatercolorsJune 9, 2010 at 6:31 AM

    what incredible little carvings! I carefully compared each one to the real guy and was VERY impressed. I think I'll try to carve up a crayon. :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. buddha-builderJune 9, 2010 at 6:42 AM

    What an incredible marathon...beautiful!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. erinJune 9, 2010 at 6:42 AM

    very cool to see an artist get this type of commission from our town :)

    excellent work Diem!

    ReplyDelete
  10. DanielJune 9, 2010 at 7:56 AM

    Awesome work .. Brangien just showed me this and she was so excited for you!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Diem ChauJune 9, 2010 at 9:06 AM

    Holy cow! Thanks for all the comments!

    Thanks Lazysundae and Erin!

    Thanks Cheri - I love knowing where things come from, how they work and how they came to be. Crayola has such a legacy... I wish their page was a bit more fun and interactive.

    Thanks Mimi :) I started with whittling on pencils then moved to crayons. I'm working on a "How it's done" post on my crayon sculptures.

    Thanks Daniel! Lovin' your flickr stream :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. Wyly AstleyJune 9, 2010 at 9:43 AM

    So pleased I got to see this. Really wonderful work.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Diem ChauJune 9, 2010 at 9:53 AM

    Thanks Wyly :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. Diem ChauJune 9, 2010 at 11:11 AM

    Thanks Mr. Stitch! Looking forward to that book project :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. desJune 9, 2010 at 11:37 AM

    wow, that is beyond anything i was expecting! that looks amazing!! congrats.

    ReplyDelete
  16. JennyJune 9, 2010 at 3:09 PM

    We met at Kelly Lyles once AND you and I both did portraits of Alan Lau. Nice work. Your drive blows my mind.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Grace WillardJune 9, 2010 at 4:11 PM

    Awesome! The display cases are a gorgeous compliments to your sculptures. Keep up the awesome work! :D

    ReplyDelete
  18. Alex SundayJune 9, 2010 at 4:38 PM

    i'm a HUGE fan of football and a HUGE fan of your crayons, so this commission rocks my world! And I love the whole presentation. Impeccable. Well done!

    ReplyDelete
  19. RosemooJune 9, 2010 at 5:26 PM

    Really awesome! Hope they paid you a bundle for such excellent work!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Diem ChauJune 10, 2010 at 1:40 AM

    Thanks Des & Grace, they did a great job with the presentation.

    Thanks Jenny :) Alan = Cool

    Thanks Alex! Always looking to rock :P

    Thanks Rosemoo, they took care of me ;)

    ReplyDelete
  21. red road studioJune 10, 2010 at 1:51 AM

    Congratulations Diem - I don't know where you get your patience from an absolute work of art! all the best Jay

    ReplyDelete
  22. notodoeranfloresJune 10, 2010 at 3:51 AM

    That's awesome. really, really great job! Congrats from Spain!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Diem ChauJune 10, 2010 at 8:46 AM

    Thanks you Jay :)

    Thank you for stopping by the blog Notodoeranflores!

    ReplyDelete
  24. AnonymousJune 10, 2010 at 9:24 AM

    You do incredible work. Such eye for detail! Keep making beautiful art :)

    ReplyDelete
  25. UnknownJune 10, 2010 at 10:20 AM

    They are amazing!! Congratulations on a project well-done.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Nathalie KalbachJune 10, 2010 at 2:50 PM

    Stunning!!! Congratulations!

    ReplyDelete
  27. RaeJune 10, 2010 at 3:04 PM

    These are amazing. Congrats!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Diem ChauJune 10, 2010 at 3:39 PM

    Thank you Alyrocker, Emdash84, Nat & Rachael!

    ReplyDelete
  29. AnonymousJune 10, 2010 at 4:45 PM

    utter, utter, utter rubbish.
    did someone really get paid to make this crap.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Diem ChauJune 10, 2010 at 6:17 PM

    LOL... ha internet flamers, I love them.

    I just wanted to post this and say I filter my comments for SPAM not for negativity. Next time at least leave a name with your opinion. :)

    ReplyDelete
  31. AnonymousJune 10, 2010 at 6:51 PM

    Omg, this is totally awesome! If you don't mind, I "shared" your work on my blog (of course with proper linkage)

    Keep up the work!

    -janis

    ReplyDelete
  32. Diem ChauJune 10, 2010 at 7:10 PM

    Thanks for sharing Janis!

    ReplyDelete
  33. Tisha SmithJune 10, 2010 at 8:07 PM

    Oh Diem, How happy am I for YOU! (super commission) and for World Cup, and for Crayola, and mostly for the lucky recipients of the NIKE press kits w/ your artwork!!!
    Your art always amazes me---still hoping you may someday carve the Statue of Liberty in a crayon and let me use it on my "next" video project....alas, I say "next" b/c it's been over a year since the project began and I asked you if you had a pic of a Statue of Liberty crayon sculpture you'd done...(and you kindly told me you didn't)and the video project is still not done. Maybe if I take long enough, you'll end up w/ that commission and I can get a pic?
    I will be in Portland this weekend, do you still have any Portland public showings, I'd love to visit: tisha@artwithmrssmith.com

    ReplyDelete
  34. UnknownJune 10, 2010 at 8:54 PM

    WOW! just WOW! amazing work! and good job scoring that gig! I look forward to your 'how-to', would have never thought of crayons...

    ReplyDelete
  35. Silver StrandsJune 10, 2010 at 11:31 PM

    Just found you and WOW ... you are AMAZING!
    ooxo
    Denalee

    ReplyDelete
  36. CopperScaleDragonJune 11, 2010 at 11:27 AM

    I do not know who any of these people are but the carvings are really cool! Interesting concept, carving crayons.

    ReplyDelete
  37. UnknownJune 11, 2010 at 12:10 PM

    These are amazing!!!! Fantastic work.

    ReplyDelete
  38. Nicole M.June 11, 2010 at 1:01 PM

    Those are so AWESOME!

    ReplyDelete
  39. AnonymousJune 11, 2010 at 2:37 PM

    Wow...just wow.
    You are absolutely amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  40. UnknownJune 11, 2010 at 2:48 PM

    Diem! What a beautiful collection and what massive amount of work to accomplish it. Congratulations...you done good!
    Beth

    ReplyDelete
  41. JUDJune 11, 2010 at 3:45 PM

    Wow! Way cool for everyone involved! Nice job too!

    ReplyDelete
  42. SomsaraJune 12, 2010 at 12:33 PM

    Your work is amazing - huge fan. Congratulations on completing such an awesome project.

    ReplyDelete
  43. Lorrie Grainger AbdoJune 13, 2010 at 9:42 PM

    Very, very cool! I just posted about this (with a link back to you and credit) on my blog. My blog is about my art but we're soccer fans/fanatics too. It's not often that these two worlds meet. Congratulations and I'm happy to have found you and your work.

    Lorrie Abdo
    http://lorrieabdo.blogspot.com/2010/06/soccer-and-artart-and-soccer.html

    ReplyDelete
  44. AnonymousJune 14, 2010 at 9:28 AM

    Great Work!

    But I don't get one thing...
    The campaing shows Ronaldinho Gaúcho as the brazilian character, while the crayon represents Robinho. Doesn't match. Why?

    ReplyDelete
  45. Diem ChauJune 14, 2010 at 9:54 AM

    Thanks Everyone!

    Trish- I remember your project, lets keep in touch. Unfortunately right now I'm as busy as ever. Hope the kids are still having fun with art!

    Thanks for posting Lorrie :)

    Ociocultural-
    Wieden + Kennedy gave me the names of the 6 players to work with. I don't know why Ronaldinho wasn't one of them? I think that Robinho was in the "Write the Future" commercial though.

    ReplyDelete
  46. art loverJune 15, 2010 at 12:46 PM

    Diem, your work is brilliant.
    Nike, genius move to choose Diem to create this one of a kind art for your promo efforts.

    ReplyDelete
  47. GlennaJune 16, 2010 at 9:02 PM

    This is very nice, you must feel highly honored. Desevadely so! I am so happy to find your blog tonight. I am now following you.

    ReplyDelete
  48. AnonymousJune 17, 2010 at 12:42 AM

    I have been thrilled by your work at first sight. Keep going! Your work is *einzigartig* ;)

    ReplyDelete
  49. James J. DobbsJune 17, 2010 at 9:10 AM

    Amazing. Great work.

    ReplyDelete
  50. Diem ChauJune 18, 2010 at 12:34 AM

    Thank you Art Lover, James, VonMuttern & Ming Siew :)

    Thanks Glenna, I'm definitely honored they pick my work!

    ReplyDelete
  51. alisonJune 18, 2010 at 4:09 AM

    wow! the crayons are so adorable

    ReplyDelete
  52. Priscilla Mercedes VazquezJune 18, 2010 at 11:08 AM

    Absolutely beautiful~ One of the most original and talented works I've seen in recent history.

    I reposted on my blog: http://polarmagazine.net/blog/2010/06/18/world-cup-fever/

    ReplyDelete
  53. Diem ChauJune 18, 2010 at 11:30 AM

    Thanks Alison!

    Wow thank you Priscilla *^_^* that's quite a big compliment!

    ReplyDelete
  54. Tainted SeclusionJune 18, 2010 at 9:09 PM

    I was randomly searching something about the World Cup and came across your creations. You are absolutely amazing and talented. I was in awe of your ability with tiny objects. The precision is amazing. I'm saving up now to buy a piece of your work, you will be very famous if you aren't already.

    ReplyDelete
  55. AnonymousJune 19, 2010 at 8:54 AM

    This is great! I had to share on Facebook! :) Congrats on the fantastic gig!

    sincerely,
    A total stranger

    ReplyDelete
  56. Diem ChauJune 19, 2010 at 11:28 AM

    Thank you Tainted Seculsion. Isn't randomness a great thing? :P

    Thanks Total Stranger :)

    ReplyDelete
  57. AdrienneJune 19, 2010 at 4:23 PM

    This is brilliant! I love how these creayons turned out! I hope you don't mind if I share them on my blog

    www.eatreallysuperfast.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  58. Diem ChauJune 19, 2010 at 5:22 PM

    Thanks Adrienne,
    I absolutely don't mind, thanks for asking.
    Diem
    p.s. cool blog

    ReplyDelete
  59. Necessary NonsenseJune 20, 2010 at 3:18 PM

    I agree with using the metallic colors they catch the light beautifully and give more depth to the characters! I am very impressed with your work, just lovely!

    ReplyDelete
  60. paper airplane designJune 21, 2010 at 7:23 AM

    Amazing! I just reblogged this here:
    http://paperairplanedesign.blogspot.com/2010/06/world-cup-crayons.html

    ReplyDelete
  61. YoliJune 22, 2010 at 11:31 AM

    They are absolutely gorgeous.

    ReplyDelete
  62. Diem ChauJune 23, 2010 at 1:53 AM

    Thanks Necessary Nonsense & Yoli

    Thanks for the post Paper airplane!

    ReplyDelete
  63. SandyJune 29, 2010 at 3:27 PM

    Having already seen this work on your blog a few weeks ago, I was delighted to see your World Cup crayons on the Fossil blog today...what wonderful recognition for your beautiful work! Congratulations. Looking forward to seeing what's next in your creative universe...

    ReplyDelete
  64. Diem ChauJuly 5, 2010 at 5:21 PM

    Thanks Sandy!

    ReplyDelete
  65. tsevisJuly 5, 2010 at 10:24 PM

    Amazing. Sincere congratulations.

    ReplyDelete
  66. jay bSeptember 13, 2010 at 4:50 AM

    Diem! What a beautiful collection and what massive amount of work to accomplish it. Congratulations...you done good!

    Jay

    ReplyDelete
  67. SprachaufnahmeApril 13, 2011 at 4:20 AM

    That looks cool. Awesome project. Greetings from germany.

    ReplyDelete