Artcritical Launches Old Master Ice Bucket Challenge for ALS Donations

Artcritical.com initiated a fundraising campaign tied to the viral ice bucket challenge, inviting participants to submit digital collages depicting the challenge within old master paintings. The site pledged to donate $10 each to the ALS Association of Greater New York for the first ten authentic entries, with donations doubled if participants also posted to and liked its Facebook page. Submissions had to be JPEGs at 72 dpi, 550 pixels wide or 500 high, and artcritical.com served as the final judge of authenticity, rejecting simplistic alterations like adding an ice bucket to a painting such as the Supper at Emmaus. The campaign aimed to blend art historical imagery with contemporary internet trends to support ALS research, leveraging social media engagement on Facebook and Instagram. It highlighted the often-overlooked iconography of the ice bucket challenge while encouraging creative participation from art enthusiasts. The initiative was announced on September 3, 2014, through artcritical.com's website, emphasizing a playful yet charitable approach to digital art and community involvement.