PRESS center

MOLI Announces the Winners of its Online "Starving Artist" Competition New Art-Focused Community Created for Artists to Unite and Collaborate

May.12.2008

West Palm Beach, Fla., May 12, 2008 - MOLI, a social media community where members have greater control over their privacy, announced today the winners of its first "Starving Artist" Art Contest.  Out of more than 75 entries from a variety of disciplines - fine arts, digital art, music, writing and photography - two winners were chosen: a stop motion animated film created with clay and puppets, by R.S. Cole, who was awarded the Judges Choice award; and a geometric tiger design created as digital body painting by Hanni B, which received the People's Choice award.  The two "Starving Artist" winners will receive up to $2,000 to cover one month's rent.  They will receive additional exposure by having their artwork featured on MOLI's home page, be the subjects of a written profile in the "MOLI View", the MOLI site's professional-content channel, and be featured on the site's very popular video channel as "MOLI Rollers".

To view the Judges Award film by R.S. Cole, Click Here.

To view the People's Choice Award painting by Hanni B, Click Here.

MOLI also has created a Starving Artist community as a "spin off" of the contest, based on the high level of interest the contest generated.  The community can be accessed at:.  www.moli.com/p/views/v21lS47VKHRdoPCzdmWtKd9A../

Four artistic-minded judges reviewed the work: Rikki Rockett, American drummer best known for his work with the glam metal band, "Poison"; Kara Walker Tome, West Palm Beach, Fla. art curator; Chris Garver, known as one of the best tattoo artists in the world; and Carrie Schupper, GenArt's associate director of Music.  The contest was sponsored by "Apartment Guide" which delivers rental information to consumers via print, Internet and mobile devices.

"I was blown away," said Rikki Rockett, "What I found was a super talented group of folks who have bright futures. I judged on the wow factor, technique and ingenuity. Great job by everyone."

Judges Award Winner

In "The Fall Of Gravity" by R.S. Cole, a stop motion animated film, uses animated puppets and clay characters as well as 2-D animated EFX to create an experience in another land.  The scene features a wizard and his traveling companion who together discuss the nature of life and the universe.
"After a long career that has had some exciting peaks and also some deep valleys, my career hasn't panned out the way I wished it would have," said R.S. Cole. "I took a big risk in deciding to make my film to try and turn things around. Winning this award has been a huge spirit lift with perfect timing."

People's Choice Award Winner

People's Choice voters selected "Proud Tiger", a customized digital body painting by Hanni B. (known as "Sublime360" on MOLI.com). This work is described as "tribal, classic and deep styles fused together" by a MOLI viewer.  Hanni B., originally from the Czech Republic, creates digital art using body painting, strong colors and soothing geometric designs.  "I like to show people's personalities, deep feelings, secret fantasies and their true passions in my paintings.  This painting represents the true strength that is hidden deep within every woman," said Hanni B.

"We are proud that the "Starving Artist" Contest was so well received by visitors and the members of MOLI," said Judy Balint, president and COO.  "The two winners exemplify the spirit of the MOLI site and we will continue to invest in furthering our outreach and relationship with artists."

Contest Sponsor
Thirty-three years old, Apartment Guide is the flagship product for and division of Consumer Source Inc, a wholly-owned subsidiary of PRIMEDIA Inc.. Apartment Guide delivers rental information to consumers via print, Internet and mobile devices. For more information visit www.apartmentguide.com.

MOLI is a next generation social media/social commerce site where members can create and manage multiple profiles in one account.  This enables users to separate their social, business and family relationships and keep control over their privacy. MOLI is an ideal platform for collaboration among enterprising individuals above the age of 18 and a destination site for small businesses to establish an online presence where they can showcase and sell their products and services. To inspire, inform and entertain its members, MOLI also publishes its own professionally created high-definition videos and articles in a variety of lifestyle channels. MOLI launched in the U.S. in January 2008 and is currently in public beta test in the U.K. and Ireland. MOLI is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mainstream Holdings, Inc. a diversified Internet technology and digital media company focusing on four industry segments:  e-commerce, behavioral marketing, high-definition video production, and software and infrastructure development.  www.moli.com, www.uk.moli.com, www.ie.moli.com or www.moli.com/mainstream.

Karen Lippe
561-459-1784
klippe@moli.com