Absolut celebrates Canadian artisans with MakerFest campaign

Vodka brand Absolut wants to pay tribute to the art and contemporary culture in Canada with a new campaign specifically targeting the artists, entrepreneurs, inventors, and tinkerers of the nation. The MakerFest is part of Absolut’s #TransformToday campaign, which wants to “inspire artistic transformation around the world.”

There will be maker spaces in Calgary, Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver that will provide a venue for the makers to showcase their work. The program launches today in Toronto at the Art Gallery of Ontario with a Massive 10 party.

Up on display at the launch party is the Absolut Maker Construction Set, an installation made in collaboration with Makelab owner Jonathan Moneta. The sculpture is two metres high and has been made with custom 3D printed connectors, hundreds of Absolut bottles, and LED lights that can be controlled by Massive 10 guests through Twitter. They just need to tweet @AbsolutCanada with the hashtag colour of their choice and the installation lights up accordingly.

The piece will be travelling different urban centres around the country as part of the campaign, including a regional make-a-thon challenges, bar bot competitions, and a central showcase event.

Here are the details for the other events:

Open make-a-thon dispensing device challenge

To highlight the work of the maker community at large, Absolut is challenging makers to hack its cocktails by creating the ultimate Absolut dispenser. Creations will be showcased at Maker Fest exhibits across Canada.

 “Bar bot” contest

Select makers will be challenged to team up and construct bar bots – drink dispensing robots that mix and pour cocktails featuring Absolut Vodka. Gallery-style spaces will be created nationwide to showcase the inspiring works. Maker pieces from outside the Absolut partnership will also be on display at the exhibits, giving further opportunity to promote the community’s creations.

MakerFest Event

A culminating event held late summer will be the ultimate celebration of world-class inventions, creations and mind-blowing works of art built by Canadian makers. The finale will showcase work from makers across the country, feature a chart-topping DJ and custom Absolut cocktails.