Patriotism Meets Pop-culture in 'What's Your Message to the Next President?' Presented...

Patriotism Meets Pop-culture in 'What's Your Message to the Next President?'
Presented by JoinTheDot(TM)

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Imagine if the presidential portraits
of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson or Abraham Lincoln had messages from
the American people of that era embedded in them. Those portraits would be
amazing time capsules.
Now, just in time for the historic 2008 Presidential Election,
JoinTheDot(TM), a partner of Rock the Vote, inaugurates a new tradition in
U.S. presidential elections. What's Your Message to the Next President of the
United States? is bringing together millions of people to participate in the
creation of two contemporary presidential portraits -- one of Barack Obama and
the other of John McCain. Each work of art will be an enduring freeze-frame of
the hopes, dreams and experiences of the American people.
This JoinTheDot(TM) campaign for the 2008 Presidential Election (now
through Nov. 4) is organized in collaboration with legendary event organizer
Ken Kragen of "Hands Across America" and "We Are the World." American Airlines
is the official airline of JoinTheDot(TM).
JoinTheDot(TM) is a one-of-a-kind forum for millions of people to unite as
part of a contemporary work of art and share their positive message with the
presidential candidates. JoinTheDot(TM) is a non-partisan organization with a
goal to generate social good among not only Americans, but also individuals
from around the world. Its mission is to give people a greater voice through
an innovative "works of art meet words of wisdom" platform.
Artist David Ilan, using the unique method of art known as pointillism,
will create portraits of each candidate in which millions of tiny hand-drawn
dots will be used to create one larger image. Ilan, a renowned portrait
artist, has worked with famous individuals such as Eric McCormack of "Will and
Grace" and the cast of "Seinfeld." His artwork has been a featured item at
various star-studded charitable fundraisers.
In time, Ilan decided he wanted to create artwork with an additional
dimension. From this, he developed the idea for Points With Purpose, where
each dot represented a real person and their story, message or perspective on
a given topic of significance. In 2008, Points With Purpose evolved into its
own brand known as JoinTheDot(TM) -- one dot equals one person and their
message on any given topic of interest.
In JoinTheDot(TM)'s first project, What's Your Message to the Next
President of the United States?, Ilan will create two separate "presidential
portraits," one of Democratic candidate Barack Obama and one of Republican
candidate John McCain. Each individual who participates will get their own dot
in the portrait of their favorite candidate, with their positive message
attached to the dot. Undecided participants will have the option of getting a
dot in both portraits with their message. A dot is not hand-drawn in a
portrait until someone signs up for it.
Once participants submit their message (statement, story, suggestion,
etc.) -- by way of text, audio or video -- their dot will join millions of
others to form the prestigious portraits. The public can go to the website to
watch the daily progress of the portraits and view the messages of others. At
the conclusion of the project, the portraits will go on a national exhibition
tour across America.
JoinTheDot(TM) is much more than the creation of two instantly famous
portraits made up of the hopes, dreams, stories and suggestions of millions of
people who want to be "in the face" of their favorite candidate for president
- it is dedicated to creating a forum that is positive, where individuals can
"connect their dots" and share their views about the presidential candidates
and the future of America. This free, Internet-based platform allows
individuals to express their perspectives through discussion, videos and
blogs. All dots are equal and everyone has an equal opportunity to be part of
the portraits and be heard. Ordinary people will have their same-sized dots
side-by-side in the drawing with the celebrity participants who are already
signing up.
JoinTheDot(TM) is going to change the landscape of the 2008 election and
clearly define that no matter who you are, you have a voice -- a voice that
will ultimately become part of history.
The 2008 election and clearly define that no matter who you are, you have
a voice -- a voice that will ultimately become part of history.
To join the dot and become part of "the big picture," please visit:
http://www.JoinTheDot.com.
SOURCE JoinTheDot

Cara Morrissey of Ballantines PR, +1-310-454-3080, cara@ballantinespr.com, for
JoinTheDot