Epson prints stunning outdoor photography exhibition "In Motion" to inspire performances at the IAAF World Championships in Athletics

– To mark the 12th IAAF World Championship in Athletics, Berlin 2009(TM): 125 years of sport photography to be displayed on Berlin’s boulevard “Unter den Linden” from 23rd July - 23rd August –

s Official Partner of the 12th IAAF World Championships in Athletics, Berlin 2009(TM), Epson in cooperation with the non-profit organisation Kulturprojekte Berlin GmbH New window, will be transforming Berlin’s finest street “Unter den Linden” into a huge open-air photo exhibition during the largest sporting event in the world this year. Over 60 photographic works taking athletics as their subject will adorn the boulevard from Glinkastrasse to Pariser Platz and help put visitors in the mood for the major sports competition. The open-air exhibition represents a further step in Epson’s long-standing involvement in the area of sports and photographic arts.

The almost two-metre high sports images will accompany the World Championship spectators on their way to Berlin’s KulturStadion(R) New window which is being temporarily set up at Pariser Platz. Several of the outstanding track and field related artworks by, among other renowned photographers, Annie Leibovitz New window and Robert Lebeck New window, will explore the beauty of motion in sports as personified by individuals from many nations. The exhibition offers a cross section of 125 years of athletic sports, as well as an overview of 125 years of photographic history.

To ensure high-impact, high-quality, memorable prints the 200cm x 135cm images will be printed on an Epson Stylus Pro GS6000 large format printer New window. The 64" roll to roll printer ticks all the boxes in terms of photo-realistic imaging, even when working with more robust materials like adhesive vinyl and canvas. Its eco solvent-type inks not only give superb, intense and natural colour but are UV and water resistant. This printer will complement a wide range of Photographic and Fine Art papers certified for the Epson Digigraphie(R) New window program, which allow photographic artists, painters and museums to produce limited, certified editions of original works of art.

Andrea Koepfer, Manager Corporate PR & Sponsoring EMEA, Epson Europe, said: “The exhibition will portray the eventful history and beauty of track and field athletics, and will also hopefully provide the athletes here in Berlin with a bit of inspiration. Athletic sports require from speed, refined technique and high precision - qualities that also characterise our printers.”

Jordi Borralleras, Market Development Manager LFP, Epson Europe, also indicated: “We are very proud to be collaborating with Kulturprojekte Berlin GmbH. The quality of the photography is exceptional and it’s well worth taking the time to visit the exhibition if you’re in Berlin during the championships. We have used our new high quality outdoor printer, the Epson Stylus Pro GS6000 to create very high quality reproductions of some incredible images. It’s the only printer in the market that can offer the degree of photographic quality this exhibition deserves.”

“Epson has supported the IAAF since 1997 as its Official Partner. However, the company’s close bond to sports and culture actually reaches much deeper into the past: For the 1964 Olympic Games in Tokyo, the Seiko Group developed the electronic timing printer, which brought chronometric results to paper. This device led to the development of the world’s first mini-printer, the EP-101, and to the birth of the Epson brand.”
Technology makes it happen – on and off the stage

As official information technology partner to the 2009 World Championships in Athletics, Epson will supply critical technology including the latest in high precision touch screen commentator information systems (CIS), the Epson performance evaluation system (EPE) and high speed, high performance printers. These state-of-the-art Epson systems will enhance the performance of commentators, journalists and athletes by giving them instant access to performance data, statistics and results at the touch of a finger.
Additional activities during Berlin 2009

The street exhibition is one of a series of promotional and cultural events planned by Epson to mark the 12th IAAF World Championships in Athletics Berlin 2009. The company will also organize a ’behind the scenes’ tours for journalists, provide prizes for in-stadium competitions and sponsor an almost 700km charity run from Epson Germany’s headquarters in Meerbusch to Berlin’s Olympic Stadium, amongst other activities to rev up the atmosphere for the games.