In Canberra the city of circles later this week, the lawns of Commonwealth Place in the Parliamentary Triangle will, for the first time, have alien markings in bright red. The two large red circles make the logo for the 8th AGDA National Biennial Awards to be held in the Great Hall of Parliament House on Saturday 28 October 2006.

AGDA will be hosting Australia's leading graphic design and creative professionals as they converge on Canberra to paint the town red. What better way to welcome these guests from all states of Australia than to literally paint the town red?

This is the first time the National Capital Authority has allowed such markings in the Parliamentary Triangle. The circles will be painted at Commonwealth Place by GrassFX on Wednesday 25 October using safe dyes that will eventually just wash away.

The awards, presented by the Australian Graphic Design Association and sponsored by Wacom, will be presented by Shaun Micallef and recognise the best design work in print and digital media over the last two years by Australian designers. More than 15 categories across corporate identity, digital media, environmental graphics and design effectiveness culminate in Finalist, Distinction and the rare Pinnacle awards. They have been selected from over 2300 entries and were judged in Adelaide prior to this weekend's announcement in Canberra. Two significant Australian designers will also be inducted into the AGDA Spicers Paperpoint Hall of Fame.

Over the next twelve months a travelling exhibition will tour Australia showcasing all Finalist, Distinction and Pinnacle winners.

PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES

• There is an artist's impression available for reproduction by emailing: liam@thegrid.net.au
• The painters will be on site on Wednesday 25 October
• The vision splendid will be able to be seen from the air and high city vantage points from Thursday 26 October and beyond the Awards on Saturday night

UPDATE (25 October)
The circles have now been painted and they look fantastic, a big thank you to Jennifer Prosser for the inspiration and John from GrassFX and the National Capital Authority for allowing this idea to come to life.

Images are available for download here: http://27772.smugmug.com/gallery/2048147

For more information please contact:
Rita Siow
AGDA General Manager
0439 887 399
gm@agda.com.au

Liam Camilleri
Awards Chair 2006
02 6280 0960
liam@thegrid.net.au