• Staff
• DATE: October 9, 2007
• PUBLICATION: Atlanta Journal-Constitution, The (GA)
• EDITION: Main; The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
• SECTION: Living
• PAGE: E3

In his sculpting, Travis Christopher has used copper tubing, plywood, forks, spoons, PVC pipe and Styrofoam.

So, really, why not cans of Red Bull?

"I really like working with the material," said Christopher of Marietta. "It's definitely a challenge."

Christopher's "Hip Cat," made from about 100 cans of the energy drink, is one of 56 sculptures on display this month in Philadelphia. He is a finalist in the drink maker's "Art of Can" contest, in which artists are required to use recycled cans. (Other entrants can be viewed at www.redbullartofcan.com .)

Christopher, 31, and Natalie Fry won last year with a sculpture of Buddha, presumably the first time the philosopher has been associated with caffeine and stimulated metabolism. With this year's entry, Christopher sought to produce aluminum-based art that "brought in the whole pop culture, and clubs and partying, iPods and things like that."

The figure is about 12 inches tall. Christopher said it took him about 24 hours total, over three days, to put it together, using pieces of can ranging in length from about 2 inches to a couple of centimeters. He used acrylic nail glue to fasten the aluminum chips to a clay sculpture base.

Christopher, who grew up in Warner Robins, graduated from the University of Georgia and recently opened a graphic design shop called Liquid Squid Studios. His Buddha won him a trip to Switzerland last year, and he would win another trip if he comes in first again.

And yes, Christopher, formerly a bartender in Athens, is also a Red Bull consumer. He mixes it with whiskey or vodka.

"Or rum," he said. "It pretty much goes with anything."

Even, apparently, acrylic nail glue.