The unique Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano China Limited Edition designed by artist Lu Hao was unveiled yesterday at the Red Gate Gallery, China’s first contemporary art gallery, in Beijing. Lu Hao created this single special model, decorated with Song Dynasty Ge Kiln pottery patterns, blending different classic Chinese elements with Ferrari distinctive features. Last night it was won by an anonymous client from Shanghai at the final price of about 1.2 million euro (including taxes). The auction was the climax of the Gala dinner organized by Ferrari at the Red Gate Gallery in Beijing.

Michael Schumacher, the seven-time Formula One champion, celebrated the event and such a work of art together with Ferrari Asia Pacific CEO Mr. Marco Mattiacci, Lu Hao, Prof. Cen Zhangzhi, Vice Chairman of the Tsinghua University Council, Professor Bruno Pizzigoni, Politecnico di Milano, Delegate of the Rector for the Sino Italian Campus.

The proceed of the auction will fund students of Tsinghua University’s Department of Automotive Engineering to study at Politecnico di Milano University (Italy) and to do an internship at Ferrari’s factory. Moreover, it will provide funding for young teachers at the Tsinghua University to participate in educational research at Politecnico di Milano.

Marco Mattiacci pointed out: “The whole Ferrari is really excited for this initiative which reaches two important goals for us: first of all, as our chairman Mr Luca di Montezemolo always underlines, help young students to enrich their preparation, as investing in them means investing in the future; on the other hand we celebrate 5 years of Ferrari in China with such a work of art which represents innovation and tradition, two values that Ferrari and China share.”

“I feel extremely honoured to be the first Chinese artist working with Ferrari,” said Lu Hao. “The creative inspiration for this unique model came from those elements of Chinese culture that have profound significance. This work embodies my understanding of the essences of Chinese culture and the Ferrari brand.”

Last night a gala dinner welcomed Ferrari owners, collectors and selected guests at the Red Gate Gallery, decorated for the occasion with features blending technology and art, East and West, and the historical and modern. The gala dinner was attended by Ferrari owners and collectors, joined by Mattiacci, contemporary artist Lu Hao, professors of China’s leading Tsinghua University Cen Zhangzhi and delegate of Politecnico di Milano University Bruno Pizzigoni. A few Ferrari objects, in particular a helmet and a model car signed by Michael Schumacher, who yesterday morning had personally unveiled the car to the international media, were also auctioned together with a racing overall worn by F1 driver, Giancarlo Fisichella. The innovative appearance of this unique model, blending classic Chinese elements with Ferrari distinctive features, aroused immediately great interest among the guests. This follows the spirit of Ferrari founder, Enzo Ferrari, carried on by Chairman Luca di Montezemolo, in investing in young talents and research. Ferrari was involved before in goodwill activities with Chinese associations, dedicated to youth.

Lu Hao Biography

Lu Hao (Beijing 1969) has followed his distinctive artistic vision to become one of China’s most famous and most influential contemporary artists. He graduated from the Central Academy of Fine Arts in 1992. As one of the earliest and most successful Chinese avant-garde artists, he has continually cultivated a unique artistic philosophy. His works have been collected in many museums around the world, such as the Museum of the University of Cambridge, the Ullens Center for Contemporary Art, and the Singapore Art Museum. Lu Hao has participated in numerous exhibitions since 1999, including Archeology of the Future – The Second Chinese Art Triennial Exhibition in 2005, Documenta 12 in Kassell in 2007, and the 2008 Shanghai Biennial. In 2002 he was awarded the Chinese Contemporary Art Award (CCAA). In 2009 he was co-curator of the Chinese pavilion at the 53 Venice Biennial. He currently lives and works in Beijing.

Ferrari social projects in China

Since its arrival in China, Ferrari has been deeply committed to social responsibility, and has incorporated these principles into the very core of its corporate culture. Over the past five years, Ferrari has hosted a wide variety of events. In August 2005, the highly anticipated Ferrari Red Mile event kicked off as a prelude to The Year of Italy in China. Two 612 Scagliettis left from Shanghai on a tour that would take them through 19 provinces and 60 cities over two months, a total of 20,000 km. In late September they reached Beijing and appeared at the Ferrari Red Mile Charity Banquet, where one of the two 612 Scagliettis was auctioned off for charity. The purchase price of over 3 million RMB was entirely donated to the Soong Ching Ling Pediatrics Award, which rewards contributions by young doctors and researchers to paediatrics and helps promote continued development of paediatric medicine to help ensure the health of China’s children. In October 2008, Ferrari’s hard top convertible California was unveiled in Shanghai, and 8 personal items from the Ferrari F1 team were auctioned off to benefit Jet Li’s “One Foundation”, raising a total of 2.23 million RMB.