Whatever it Takes Opening with Sir Ben Kingsley

Oscar winning actor Sir Ben Kingsley will be cutting the ribbon to officially mark the grand opening of the Whatever It Takes Experience at the Grand Hyatt Doha.

Sir Ben who became a 21st Century Leader Ambassador when he donated his original artwork to Whatever It Takes will be also be taking a guided tour of the experience, and will get the chance to look at some of 50 original artworks from other stars of the stage and screen on display in the exhibition which will also include his own donated artwork. Featured celebrity artwork will be on show from George Clooney, Samuel L. Jackson, Giorgio Armani, Donna Karan, Sir Bob Geldof, Snoop Dog and Heidi Klum and many others.

Whatever It Takes is a cause-related product campaign which involves more than 750 celebrities or leaders in their field who have been officially invited to become a 21st Century Leader. As an ambassador they create an original piece of art with a strong message of hope. This artwork is then designed into a variety of environmentally sustainable lifestyle products, created by producers who are working towards the Whatever It Takes ethical policy. The products are then sold to raise funds through 105 prestigious retail partners globally such as Park Hyatt, Priceline, Hot Topic, Virgin Megastores and WH Smith.

Award winning Slumdog Millionaire director and producer duo Danny Boyle and Christian Colson who became 21st Century Leader Ambassadors earlier this year said “We were so excited to be able to be able to contribute our artwork to Whatever It Takes, and are really excited to be part of the campaign and to join the 750 other stars that are already in the programme.” Their artwork will also be on display as part of the exhibition.

Products for sale in the shop include iPod covers, t-shirts, computer accessories, stationary, canvas prints, watches, mugs and plates, wall and alarm clocks, wallets, and bags featuring artwork donated by such celebrities as Nicole Kidman, Lucy Liu, Coldplay, George Clooney, and Sir Bob Geldof CBE. One of a kind, unique items and collections from Stella McCartney, Heidi Klum, Gwen Stefani, Alexander McQueen and Sir Paul Smith are also available as part of a silent auction.

For the first time ever, all of these products will be available in one place in Qatar through the Whatever It Takes Experience at the Grand Hyatt Doha later this week. The experience which is running from 28-31 October, and is already open to the public, is a unique art, shopping and cafe space at the Grand Hyatt Doha which includes exclusive Whatever It Takes products.

Starting from today, visitors to the hotel can take part in a treasure hunt to win exclusive products from the Whatever It Takes product range. If they are the first person to find the hidden voucher in the lobby area of the Grand Hyatt Doha, by following the clues released on the Whatever It Takes Facebook group, they can redeem their voucher for a free prize. To take part, go to https://www.facebook.com/whateverittakesexperience and become a fan, and sign up to the treasure hunt event.

Sir Ben Kingsley is one of the first recipients of a Doha 21st Century Leader Awards to be presented in a special gala dinner later on that evening, alongside American actor and film producer Josh Hartnett, who starred together with the Gandhi actor in the 2006 hit thriller Lucky Number Slevin. The multi-award winning director and producer team of Danny Boyle and Christian Colson, who made last year’s smash hit Slumdog Millionaire, will also be recognised,see post here.

The recipients will receive an award entitled “Draw Your Own Time” that has been specially designed by respected artist and sculptor Lorenzo Quinn, who has a long history of being commissioned for public works in Qatar including the “Give & Take” statue marking the entrance of the Aspire Sports Academy in Doha.

ENDS