The 2017 BRIT Awards statue designed by the late Zaha Hadid has today been revealed.
The project was led by Maha Kutay, director at Zaha Hadid Design, and Niamh Byrne (on behalf of The BRIT Awards), after Hadid accepted and commenced work on the brief in January of this year.
However, in March this year Hadid passed away suddenly after suffering a heart attack. She was widely regarded as one of the world’s greatest architects.
“We are delighted with the finished statues,” said Jason Iley, BRITs chairman and CEO and chairman of Sony Music UK and Ireland. “Like Zaha, they are innovative and original and have gone well beyond our expectations to create something special that will progress the Award into the future. I’d like to especially thank Maha (Kutay) and Maren (Klasing) at Zaha Hadid Design and Niamh (Byrne) for all of their hard work and support over the last year.”
The BRITs Critics’ Choice shortlist will be revealed tomorrow (Friday, December 2) with the winner announced on Thursday, December 8.
Speaking about Zaha’s vision for the statue, Kutay said: “Zaha was truly excited to be doing this. Her vision was, being an architect, to focus our efforts more on the 3D element, as the statue had previously been used as a canvas for artists to paint on for the last few years. Our design expresses Zaha’s unwavering belief in progress and optimism for the future and a break from the norm. The biggest challenge was to create something different within certain guidelines, yet achieving a result recognisable to the public. You have to respect the existing to create something new.”
The BRIT Awards 2017 with Mastercard will be broadcast live on ITV on Wednesday, February 22 from London’s O2 Arena.
