Ambra Medda, Director and Co-Founder, said: "Design Miami/ 2006 is proud to have Audi come on board as its exclusive automotive sponsor. Audi, as a company, has always been dedicated to the exploration and use of good design, which is in keeping with the principles and spirit of Design Miami/. We are thrilled to be working with Audi and to have 'R8 Ignition' in Design Miami/ 2006."


Miami - the trendsetting metropolis

In recent years Miami has become one of the magnets for the international arts scene and design culture. An entire city district in the north of downtown, only ten minutes away from South Beach, is now known as the Design District. And rightly so, for in just a decade or so the previously gloomy area has blossomed into a colorful trendsetter in the world of design. Today over 100 galleries and showrooms attract artists and designers, and of course customers interested in art & design, from all over the world.

Since 2002, the arts scene in Florida's trendsetting metropolis has been enhanced by "Art Basel Miami Beach". Initially a spin-off from the renowned Swiss art fair, the "ABMB" has emerged to be on a par with the original in Basel in terms of significance and appeal: in early December more than 200 galleries will present 1500 artists at numerous exhibitions and parties.

Meanwhile the creators and enthusiasts of innovative design have also discovered Miami as a leading centre for fairs and exhibitions: the sister event to the "ABMB", entitled simply "Design Miami/ 2006", will be held from 7th to 10th December. This shows that the international scene regards Miami as one of the most important forums for fresh ideas from the realms of interior design, lifestyle, furnishings and product design. In terms of artistic relevance the unconventional exhibition offshoot has overtaken the original fair, "Art Basel Miami Beach" in only its second year.


Audi as part of the design scene

Audi will be the first automotive manufacturer to be an exhibitor in Miami, where the "R8 Ignition" installation will be presented, with the new Audi R8 sports car as its core theme. "We are appearing at Design Miami/ 2006 with an extraordinary exhibit within this incredible context as an element of the international design scene", says Bernhard Neumann, Head of International Exhibitions at AUDI AG, explaining the significance of this event.

Unlike most companies that function solely as financial partners at events of this kind, the brand with the four rings is itself providing creative input. At this year's "Design Annual" in Frankfurt, Audi was the only automotive brand present as an exhibitor. Here too, Audi caused a sensation with its unusual concept: The exhibition stand formed a giant loft for the new Audi TT Coupe. "The TT in particular, as a design icon and technological highlight, belongs as much in a design show as it does in a motor show", says Bernhard Neumann.

This progressive idea will be continued by the Ingolstadt car company at "Design Miami/ 2006" in a highly impressive way: "The brief was: an exceptional car at an exceptional event. The solution was an equally exceptional installation that unites automobile and event through its form". This was the ambitious project goal as defined by Neumann.


About Design Miami/

Design Miami/ is a global forum for collecting, exhibiting, discussing and creating design. With week-long annual shows presented in conjunction with the Art Basel fairs in Miami, Florida and Basel, Switzerland, Design Miami/ brings together the world's most influential dealers, designers, collectors, curators and critics to celebrate and explore the ever-shifting boundaries of design. For more information please visit www.designmiami.com

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