PrintPress Archive
 |
2005/12/22
adidas and BASF official partners of the initiative “Germany – Land of Ideas”
“Walk of Ideas”: together with adidas and BASF, FC Deutschland GmbH presents the first prototypes of the planned sculptures.
Berlin, 22nd December 2005. Today in Berlin, Dr. Michael Rogowski, Vice President of the Federation of German Industries (BDI), presented BASF AG and adidas-Salomon AG the official partnership plaques of the initiative “Germany – Land of Ideas”. As of this year, the companies are supporting this joint political and business initiative which is under the patronage of the German president. Founded to meet the occasion of the 2006 Football World Cup, the initiative emphasises the attractiveness of Germany, and reflects significant characteristics of its inhabitants: inventiveness, creative fervour, and visionary thinking.
In the atrium of the Haus der Deutschen Wirtschaft, together with Dr. John Feldmann, Member of the Board of BASF AG, and Michael Riehl, Head of Global Sports Relations of adidas-Salomon AG, Dr. Michael Rogowski unveiled the prototype for the sculpture “Studded Football Boot”, which is to be placed in front of the Berlin Reichstag in the coming year. The material for the sculptures will be the innovative BASF material Neopor®, which is usually used for building insulation in particular and, for example, contributes to the conversion of old buildings into 3-litre buildings. Dr. John Feldmann commented: "We were glad to accept the invitation to participate in this initiative. We are pleased that with its knowledge and products, BASF can contribute to the realisation of the demanding project “Walk of Ideas”, as a leading company in the chemicals industry.” Michael Riehl added: “Adi Dassler's studded football boot innovation was the beginning of the global company adidas. We are now also cooperating with BASF in the further development of our products. Our know-how is increasing, so it is very positive that we can present ourselves as official partners of the initiative in the context of the ‘Walk of Ideas’.”
The “making of” the high-tech sculptures was captured in a BASF AG documentary film, which is to become an integral component of the “Walk of Ideas” project. Surrounding the “Walk of Ideas”, visitors are to be given the opportunity to get to know German ideas and innovations with the aid of various media.
The “Walk of Ideas” sculpture “Studded Football Boot” is for FC Deutschland Chief Executive Mike de Vries a symbol of the creativity and innovative spirit of the German people: “More than 50 years ago, Adi Dassler revolutionised football with the studded football boot. Since the German team's victory at the 1954 World Cup in Bern, he is a symbol of German inventiveness. Our 'Walk of Ideas' project will include an unmistakeable monument commemorating him."
Further information:
The “Walk of Ideas” project:
In the spring of 2006, the “Walk of Ideas” will come into being in Berlin. The project will document Germany's wealth of ideas, and its significance as an inventor nation. The giant sculptures illustrating, for example, the invention of printing, of the modern automobile, or the discovery of the theory of relativity, will stand at sites of historical significance. The sculptures will be accompanied by theme days, workshops, pupil competitions, etc., which will stimulate the intensive discussion about Germany as “Land of Ideas”.
The know-how of BASF AG
The material from which the “Walk of Ideas” sculptures are made must meet certain criteria: it needs to be light and easy to work with. This is why BASF uses Neopor®, the innovative successor of the classic Styropor®. Characteristic to Neopor® are the improved insulating properties which, when implemented in the construction industry, lead to drastic energy savings and reduced CO2 emissions. Upon its deployment as the material for the “Walk of Ideas” sculptures, Neopor® is expanded and shaped. The coating of the artworks presents a particular challenge; BASF Coatings will provide the surface finish.
The studded football boot from adidas
“Fritz Walter weather” on the 4th of July 1954 in Bern's Wankdorf Stadium. It is pouring with rain, and Adi Dassler's invention makes the German team unbeatable. Due to the fact that the players in the World Cup final in Bern's Wankdorf Stadium are slipping and sliding on the soaked grass, trainer Sepp Herberger has them don studs. The Hungarians, unbeaten for years, cannot match their opponents' surface grip; Germany wins the World Cup.
Germany – Land of Ideas
"Germany – Land of Ideas” is a joint campaign mounted by the German government in conjunction with the business community, represented by the Federation of German Industries (BDI). The aim of the initiative is to present Germany at home and abroad as an innovative, cosmopolitan and enthusiastic country. It is coordinated by FC Deutschland GmbH and its Chief Executive Mike de Vries. The initiative “Germany - Land of Ideas” is also supported by numerous German companies and co-operation partners from the spheres of science, culture and society.
Press contact:
“Germany – Land of Ideas
”FC Deutschland GmbH
Press team
Unter den Linden 74
10117 Berlin
Germany
Tel.: +49 (0) 30 206 459 15
Fax: +49 (0) 30 206 459 37
presse@land-der-ideen.de
presse@land-der-ideen.de
Register for our media service:
www.medienservice.land-der-ideen.de
www.medienservice.land-der-ideen.de
BASF Aktiengesellschaft
Corporate Innovation Communications
Tomke Prey
Tel.: +49 (0) 621 60-59066
Fax: +49 (0) 621 60-92693
tomke.prey@basf.com
www.basf.com
In the atrium of the Haus der Deutschen Wirtschaft, together with Dr. John Feldmann, Member of the Board of BASF AG, and Michael Riehl, Head of Global Sports Relations of adidas-Salomon AG, Dr. Michael Rogowski unveiled the prototype for the sculpture “Studded Football Boot”, which is to be placed in front of the Berlin Reichstag in the coming year. The material for the sculptures will be the innovative BASF material Neopor®, which is usually used for building insulation in particular and, for example, contributes to the conversion of old buildings into 3-litre buildings. Dr. John Feldmann commented: "We were glad to accept the invitation to participate in this initiative. We are pleased that with its knowledge and products, BASF can contribute to the realisation of the demanding project “Walk of Ideas”, as a leading company in the chemicals industry.” Michael Riehl added: “Adi Dassler's studded football boot innovation was the beginning of the global company adidas. We are now also cooperating with BASF in the further development of our products. Our know-how is increasing, so it is very positive that we can present ourselves as official partners of the initiative in the context of the ‘Walk of Ideas’.”
The “making of” the high-tech sculptures was captured in a BASF AG documentary film, which is to become an integral component of the “Walk of Ideas” project. Surrounding the “Walk of Ideas”, visitors are to be given the opportunity to get to know German ideas and innovations with the aid of various media.
The “Walk of Ideas” sculpture “Studded Football Boot” is for FC Deutschland Chief Executive Mike de Vries a symbol of the creativity and innovative spirit of the German people: “More than 50 years ago, Adi Dassler revolutionised football with the studded football boot. Since the German team's victory at the 1954 World Cup in Bern, he is a symbol of German inventiveness. Our 'Walk of Ideas' project will include an unmistakeable monument commemorating him."
Further information:
The “Walk of Ideas” project:
In the spring of 2006, the “Walk of Ideas” will come into being in Berlin. The project will document Germany's wealth of ideas, and its significance as an inventor nation. The giant sculptures illustrating, for example, the invention of printing, of the modern automobile, or the discovery of the theory of relativity, will stand at sites of historical significance. The sculptures will be accompanied by theme days, workshops, pupil competitions, etc., which will stimulate the intensive discussion about Germany as “Land of Ideas”.
The know-how of BASF AG
The material from which the “Walk of Ideas” sculptures are made must meet certain criteria: it needs to be light and easy to work with. This is why BASF uses Neopor®, the innovative successor of the classic Styropor®. Characteristic to Neopor® are the improved insulating properties which, when implemented in the construction industry, lead to drastic energy savings and reduced CO2 emissions. Upon its deployment as the material for the “Walk of Ideas” sculptures, Neopor® is expanded and shaped. The coating of the artworks presents a particular challenge; BASF Coatings will provide the surface finish.
The studded football boot from adidas
“Fritz Walter weather” on the 4th of July 1954 in Bern's Wankdorf Stadium. It is pouring with rain, and Adi Dassler's invention makes the German team unbeatable. Due to the fact that the players in the World Cup final in Bern's Wankdorf Stadium are slipping and sliding on the soaked grass, trainer Sepp Herberger has them don studs. The Hungarians, unbeaten for years, cannot match their opponents' surface grip; Germany wins the World Cup.
Germany – Land of Ideas
"Germany – Land of Ideas” is a joint campaign mounted by the German government in conjunction with the business community, represented by the Federation of German Industries (BDI). The aim of the initiative is to present Germany at home and abroad as an innovative, cosmopolitan and enthusiastic country. It is coordinated by FC Deutschland GmbH and its Chief Executive Mike de Vries. The initiative “Germany - Land of Ideas” is also supported by numerous German companies and co-operation partners from the spheres of science, culture and society.
Press contact:
“Germany – Land of Ideas
”FC Deutschland GmbH
Press team
Unter den Linden 74
10117 Berlin
Germany
Tel.: +49 (0) 30 206 459 15
Fax: +49 (0) 30 206 459 37
presse@land-der-ideen.de
presse@land-der-ideen.de
Register for our media service:
www.medienservice.land-der-ideen.de
www.medienservice.land-der-ideen.de
BASF Aktiengesellschaft
Corporate Innovation Communications
Tomke Prey
Tel.: +49 (0) 621 60-59066
Fax: +49 (0) 621 60-92693
tomke.prey@basf.com
www.basf.com
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