Why business leaders support children's art.

Ed/Meier's Art Meets ICAF 

The creativity of children knows no bounds; in their works dreams, wishes and fears become reality. This is where we find the real cyberspace, not in a computer or on television. That was the impression I got when I viewed an initial group of pictures by children submitted to an international children's painting competition by ICAE Children are the most innovative scholars of the future. As an entrepreneur I invest in the future.

My sister Brigitte and I run Eduard Meier Company, established in 1596 and a family-owned business for 13 generations. We are involved in cultural and social projects that help everyone involved. We establish contacts and build up new networks. An exemplary initiative for children and young people is in northern Munich, which looks after children and adolescents in a difficult environment. Over 60 children with 11 different nationalities worked together with Munich artists on a 15 meter (50 foot) long mobile. We want to continue this work with children, which is why we decided to support the initiative of the International Child Art Foundation in Munich.

Since 2003, in conjunction with a series of events called Ed/Meier's Art; we have presented a cultural program to a wide audience featuring exhibitions and actions on an unusual site, the mezzanine floor of a subway station in the center of Munich. Projects by young artists and photographers develop a new awareness for everyday urban space. We see our actions as improving the attractiveness of the downtown area and putting new life into public zones.

For the first time in the autumn of 2004 Ed/Meier's Art will be undertaking a cooperative effort with ICAF and the Haus der Kunst to promote the Utopia Station exhibition project. We have an exhibition area in one of the most heavily frequented subway stations in Munich, which we are happy to place at the disposal of ICAF.

The exhibition in the Odeonsplatz subway station with pictures by children from all over the world who took part in international ICAF painting competition is a think-tank of the future. It will be integrated as a satellite public area into curator Hans-Ulrich Obrist's Utopia Station exhibition at the Haus der Kunst. The well-known Italian designer Enzo Marl has developed a presentation concept for a selection of children's pictures. The exhibition focuses on the artistic visions and utopias of children representing all nations, races and cultures. With the aid of our imaginations, we can help them learn how to learn how to transcend boundaries, destroy prejudices and develop alternative models to the sterile virtual world of computers and the media.

We want to use this action to give everyone, not just children, the courage and enthusiasm to participate actively in shaping the world of tomorrow.