Ballantine's Presents INSA's Space GIF-ITI

After nearly a year of planning, Ballantine's, and renowned 'GIF-ITI' artist INSA arrived in central Rio De Janeiro with a team of 20 to undertake a uniquely ambitious art project; to create the world's largest animated GIF. One satellite in space, 57,515m2 to paint on the earth in Rio de Janeiro, and just four day. The results of this inimitable challenge feature in a stunning three minute film on YouTube.

The giant animated artwork ' the most ambitious of its kind ever attempted ' was painted on the ground in four stages over four days and measured a total of 57,515m2 (made up of four images measuring 14,379m2 each). Inspired by INSA's iconic 'Looking For Love'' heart design, the huge paintings were each captured via a satellite orbiting 431 miles above the earth, and ultimately transformed by INSA into a moving piece of animated 'GIF-ITI'.

'INSA's Space GIF-ITI' is the third in a series of collaborations betweenBallantine's and unique talent from around the world who define Ballantine'smantra of 'Stay True' and whose stories are showcased in unique films featuring projects inspired by their personal styles, talents and beliefs. Previous collaborators include leading African DJ and producer, Black Coffee ('Human Orchestra') and world champion freestyle skateboarder, Kilian Martin ('Carmen').

INSA is famous for his unique patterns and motifs, which have since been displayed around the world, both at street level and in high profile exhibitions and media, including within London's Victoria & Albert Museum and Tate Britain. He is best known for creating ground-breaking 'GIF-ITI': amazing animations of his graffiti designs which culminate in looped GIFs ' an innovative and labour-intensive process which requires him to repaint a design by hand many times, with each image changing slightly each time, before combining them to create a final GIF. His unique art has captivated audiences by creating something physical which paradoxically only exists online as a 600 pixel wide image.

The scale of this project is like no other; it's been a dream of mine for years to create a piece of graffiti that can be seen from space, but working in synchronicity with the earth's cycle to also create an animation is next level. '

INSA

Peter Moore, Ballantine's Global Brand Director, says of the project: 'INSA's Space GIF-ITI' is one of the most ambitious projects that Ballantine's has ever undertaken, and is an inspiring showcase of what it means to 'Stay True' to yourself and to your passions. Working in a truly collaborative way with such an inspirational character and artist as INSA has allowed us to create a meaningful moment that we hope will excite and delight viewers around the world.'

The finished results can be seen in the film and a 'making of' detailing the behind the scenes story of the project at YouTube.com/Ballantines.