November 13, 2003
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Dawn Newell - (310) 247-3000
                       dnewell@oscars.org

	Pop artist Burton Morris put the final touches on the painting of the 76th Academy Awards commemorative poster at his studio in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Morris unveiled the completed artwork on Thursday, November 13, during a special event at the Hollywood & Highland complex in Hollywood, California.

Beverly Hills, CA - With the 76th Academy Awards commemorative poster, unveiled today in Hollywood, Oscar^® looks forward to the flash and pop of strobes and sun guns when the red carpet returns on February 29, 2004.

Pop artist Burton Morris created this year’s poster, one of the most colorful and unusual Academy Award posters to date.

“When I think of the Academy Awards I think of the red carpet, the intense media attention and of course the Oscar statuette itself,” said Morris. “I wanted to incorporate all of these elements into the design in a way that captured that ‘larger than life’ feeling of the Oscars.”

Downsized in 2003 because of the war in Iraq, the Oscar's red carpet will be bigger and better than ever for the 76th Academy Awards presentation.

In the poster, Oscar stands tall through the bright light of a camera’s flash. A photographer looms large, sporting a retro look complete with suit, tie and fedora. The simplified lines and vibrant colors that are classic Morris fare create a visually arresting image.

“This is a poster unlike any we’ve used before,” said Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Executive Director Bruce Davis. “It’s youthful and fun and it captures the excitement that surrounds the Academy Awards.”

Morris first gained national attention in the mid-1990's when his artwork was chosen to hang on the set of the NBC television series "Friends," where it has remained throughout the show's run. His artwork also has been on display in shows around the globe including a one-man exhibition at Sotheby's Amsterdam.

In addition, Morris was recently chosen by the United States Olympic Committee to be an official artist for the U.S. team at the 2004 Games in Athens.

In a nationwide promotional campaign, 50,000 Oscar posters will be distributed beginning today. For the fifth consecutive year, the commemorative poster will be available for purchase from today until March 15 on the Academy's website, www.oscars.org/publications, or via phone at 1-800-554-1814.

Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2003 will be presented on Sunday, February 29, 2004, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland^® and televised live by the ABC Television Network at 5 p.m. PST, beginning with a half-hour arrival segment.

Editors: Please note that downloadable photos from this film are available at http://photos.oscars.org .