Patrons, Artists and Commerzbank officials attended the Opening of the Exhibit “One Heart for UNICEF” at the flagship store of Commerzbank
“One Heart for UNICEF” was launched in Berlin at the flagship store of Commerzbank in Kurfürstendamm. The exhibit featured wooden heart artworks designed by 23 artists from 23 countries. Mr. Heribert Klein, director and founder of “One Heart for UNICEF” has actively sustained the project for the past 17 years in collaboration with Commerzbank. Patrons fund a 40 x 40 centimeter UNICEF heart and have it painted by artists and celebrities. Hundreds of personalities from visual artists to actors, politicians and chefs have become patrons or even painted hearts themselves. These artworks are auctioned off in aid of UNICEF projects for children in need, including relief efforts.
Jenny Friese, Executive Vice President, Martin Blessing, Chief Executive Officer of Commerzbank, Heribert Klein and Nina Ruge, UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in Germany, each delivered their remarks at the opening ceremony. The Philippine heart featured the artwork of Jan Perez Blanco who comes from a family of artists in Angono, Rizal.
Cultural Attaché Mylah Rubio with the Philippine heart, `A Mother´s Heart` by artist Jan Blanco from Angono, Rizal. /Photos courtesy of Commerzbank
The Berlin exhibition is part of a roadshow that had stops in Cologne, Stuttgart, Nurembeg, Munich and Hamburg. The same initiative has funded projects for children of Nepal, Syria and the Philippines. The exhibit is open to the public until 10 February 2016. The wooden artworks will be auctioned off in November 2016. END
