Ben Frost, 29, musician, composer and producer, is one of the three shortlisted for the Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative.  The artist, born in Australia, came into prominence after the release of his album, Music for Sad Children in the year 2000. He is also known for his work with other Australian artists like David Bridie and the rock band Something for Kate.  His work draws its sustenance from several genres like minimalism, post-punk, black metal and noise. His command over several genres became evident in his 2007 masterpiece Theory of Machines.

The Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative nominee received a lot of praise for his creative masterpiece Music for Sand Children. Pitchfork Media described the experiment as an exemplary work of art. His critically acclaimed LP Theory of Machines also generated a lot of interest and stamped his authority on the global music scene. Boomkat described the album as one of the most interesting albums of its time.  Further acclaim was to follow from the reputed journal “The Wire Magazine� which described the music as an extraordinary piece of work.

Ben Frost has also collaborated with internationally acclaimed artists such as Bjork, Nico Muhly, Amiina, and Ghostdigital and so on. The multitalented artist doffs several hats including that of a composer of film and contemporary dance. His collaborations with other artists like Chunky Move, the Icelandic Dance Company and Erna Omarsdottir has brought him widespread recognition in the artistic community.

The Rolex Mentor and Arts Initiative is a philanthropic program that aims to promote outstanding talent in the field of dance, music, theatre, visual arts, film and literature by pairing them with the masters of the trade.

The program invites applications from all around the world. These are sifted by an Advisory Board comprising of outstanding artists and distinguished personalities. The shortlisted are handed over to the Mentor who selects the most suitable protégé. Once selected the protégé remains under the tutelage of the mentor for six weeks. This incubation period is often increased by mutual agreement. The program is collaborative in nature and involves much sharing, learning and growing on the job. The mentor by virtue of his expertise over the craft is in position to teach the finer nuances of the trade, helping the protégé to learn more about the craft.

The type of interactions is left to the protégé and the mentor. Depending upon each other’s comfort level the interaction may involve collaborating on a project or getting access to see the master at work. Either way the protégé is able to learn the nuances of the trade from a master of the trade.

Jace Clayton, 34, American DJ and Producer, is one of the three shortlisted for the Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative. This multitalented artist dons several hats including that of a radio show host, musician and an article writer.

Nicknamed as DJ/ Rupture, this New York based DJ and Producer started out as a drum and bass player in Boston in the late 90’s. His unique music style comprises of a mix of complicated sounds played out on three different turntables; one for vocals, the second for breakbeats and the third for ambient effects.

He first burst out in the music scene with his smash hit Gold Teeth Thief which hopped across several musical genres like hip hop, reggae, breakcore, jungle, noise to create a kaleidoscopic mix of sounds that was much appreciated by the critics and the fans alike. He met with greater success with his next album called Minesweeper Suite which was hailed as one of the top ten records in 2002.

Next year, he transcended even higher with the breakout of his critically album Special Gunpowder.  More recognition followed when he appeared on John Peel’s BBC and followed it with a live performance on the Breezeblock.

In the year 2008, the talented musician came out with his own label known as Dutty Artz in collaboration with Matt Shadetek. Jace Clayton has made a name commenting on the contemporary music scene with a wide following in the blogging world. He also freelances on a regular basis in publications like the Wire.

The Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative started out in the year 2002 to promote outstanding talent all around the world. The program brings mentors and protégé together for a period of six weeks in order to cultivate higher excellence in the fields or art and culture. This philosophy is attuned to the company philosophy; positioning Rolex Users as connoisseurs of culture and arts rather than mere consumers.

The Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative invite applications from all around the world for its protégé program. The applications are sifted by an advisory board comprising of renowned members of the arts community. The shortlisted candidates are then sent over to the Mentor who chooses his protégé.

The protégé enters into a symbiotic relationship with the mentor sharing, learning and collaborating. This helps them to understand the finer nuances of the craft; so essential for making an impression in the field of their choice.

Rolex takes care of the logistics and the travelling expenses; leaving the protégé and the mentor to concentrate on their craft.

Dinaw Mengestu, 31, writer and journalist, is one of the three nominated for the Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative for the year 2010. The bestselling author of the Beautiful Things that Heaven Bears, left his homeland, Ethiopia, when aged two, for the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois. He completed his B.A. in English from Georgetown University and later enrolled for a MFA program in Fiction from Columbia University.

This prolific writer has written for several magazines including the Rolling Stone, Jane Magazines, Harpers and The Wall Street Journal. His contributions on the war in Darfur and the conflict in Uganda have been specially appreciated in a number of publications.

His debut novel, The Beautiful Things that Heaven Bears is a story of alienation and race equations in the city of New York. The novel’s chief protagonist fled from his homeland Ethiopia when the revolution was at its peak, to the quieter United States. The new country provides protection but brings with it isolation. He finds himself alone in a poor section of the African-American section in Washington D.C., managing a failing store. His fellow companions, two African Americans, suffer from the same malaise that befell him; painful nostalgia and a deep longing for home.

The numbing isolation drifts a little with the developing of a friendship with neighbors, Judith and Naomi; a white mother and her bi-racial daughter. But succor is only momentary as his world comes crashing down following a series of racial accidents.

Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative

The Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative is a philanthropic program that encourages outstanding young talent to develop their skills further. The program brings talent from all over the world under the tutelage of proven masters to promote the development of Arts and Crafts. The programmed was started in the year 2002 under the banner of Rolex, the well known watchmaker. Since then it has continued with the tradition of promoting art and culture throughout the world.

The program invites masters in the field of dance, film, literature, music, theatre and visual arts to mentor their protégé in their chosen field. The learning process involves collaborating, sharing and growing with valuable inputs from the masters of the trade.

The selection of protégé is a three tiered process: the advisory board invites nominations; the nominees are shortlisted; and finally the mentor chooses their protégé. The protégé is assigned to the mentor for a period no less than six weeks during which they get a bird eyes view how the master approaches their work. The form of interaction is flexible and can vary from collaborating on a project to getting an access to see the master at work.

Brian Eno is best known for his innovation of ambient music and now he will be seen bringing forth the same harmony to the Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative. Brian Eno has been chosen as a mentor for the current mentoring year of 2010-2011. The visionary musician, composer, record producer, music theorist and singer will be passing on his understanding of the discipline of music to one lucky protégé. The Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative provides an excellent platform to the young and promising talent of this generation to learn and interact with the masters of their discipline. This unique opportunity of a lifetime is presented to one protégé who is selected from a host of international talents who are scouted for by a panel set up by the Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative. This is a philanthropic effort initiated by Rolex which is based upon the long standing tradition of the mentor and protégé way of learning.

The philanthropic endeavor is aimed at preserving and passing on the world’s artistic heritage. Brian Eno would surely have a good deal of lessons he would want to share with his protégé as the visionary musician has 40 years of experience in his kitty. The musician and composer began his journey as an art student and drew inspiration from minimalist painting. The 61 year old is also recognized as a visionary theorist, multimedia artist and technological innovator. His first brush with music was in the early 1970s as he joined the band Roxy Music and soon after he embarked on the journey of a solo career. As a solo artist he drifted towards some experimental music styles with No Pussyfooting and his solo hit Here Come the Warm Jets. His innovative forays into ambient music lead him to produce sounds featured in Discreet Music and Music For Airports. His contributions to the world of music have influenced genres as varied as rock to techno.

Brian Eno has also worked in collaboration with some of the leading musicians, performers and composers of his time such as Paul Simon, U2 and Coldplay to create what he calls unusual aural environments. More recently he has composed the score for the forthcoming film The Lovely Bones. Brina Eno is the founder and director of the Long Now Foundation which was started in 1996 in order to educate the masses of the long term future of society. Brian Eno is also a columnist with the British newspaper The Observer. Brian Eno has also forayed into art as an inventive installation artist. His collection, 77 Million Paintings, illuminated the Sydney Opera House recently. His collection uses a self-generating software that manipulates his drawings. Brian Eno also collaborated in 1996 to develop his hybrid music album Generative Music 1. By his association with the Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative, Brian Eno will help mould the promising young talent in the discipline of music by regular dialogues and sharing his expertise and knowledge. His contribution to various genres of music will help work to the benefit of his protégé as it would help the young artist expand his or her horizon.

There never was any word, gesture, advice, inspiration or wisdom greater than that of a virtuous teacher. In its 100 years of operation Rolex the world leader in premium watches has been able to transform itself from a brand name into an idea that represents the tenacious hunger for perfection through a dedicated labor.

Supporting numerous cultural initiatives and sporting events around the globe, Rolex is a rare brand that has been able to comprehend the significance of a guide. One of its most ambitious projects is the Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative. The core fundamental behind an elaborate international philanthropic program like the Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative is aid the development of exceptionally talented individuals. Rolex brings together a master who understands the capacity of potentiality and a protégé who has belief and passion for attaining the highest levels of perfection. As a civilization, mankind is capable of extraordinary achievements; however the conspicuous lack of unfaltering will proves to be a major hindrance. It’s at a time like this that one looks towards a teacher that can bring the fickle human mind engulfed with the darkness of ignorance towards the light. Rolex is proud to be an inspiration and a platform that initiates this ambitious campaign.

The Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative searches for artists around the world and introduces them to celebrated masters who will in the process of a year of collaborative relationship, mentor them and augment their talent. Infused with the spirit of dance and constantly perfecting the art of movement, probably the oldest language know to man, American born artist Jason Akira Somma is on a quest of fusing newer elements to create a perspective of dance. The 29 year old Jason Akiro Somma is in the process of fusing dance with elements from visual arts in a remarkably novel way. A dancer, choreographer, film-maker and photographer, Jason Akiro Somma was chosen for the 2008-2009 Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative for dance and was placed under the guidance of the great master Jiří Kylián. Mentoring this talented young artist is the Czech choreographer Jiří Kylián, a man that has through his dance defied tradition, accepted art forms and categorization to give dance a whole new meaning. Smitten by the wondrous allurement of the circus, Jiří Kylián trained to be an acrobat but soon at the age of nine he started training in dance at the Prague National Theatre ballet school. Earning a scholarship to study at the Royal Ballet School in London worked his way up to become the artistic co-director of the Nederlands Dans Theater. Imbibing the nuance of dance and its expressions from varied cultures from around the world like that from the aborigines, Jiří Kylián finally comprehended the significance of dance as a vital aspect of human expression and the its artistic value in deciphering the mysteries of societal structure. Known fro his distinctive abstract, black and white choreographies, Jiří Kylián was responsible fro creating the celebrated film CAR-MEN in 2006.

With over 100 works and prestigious awards like the Nijinsky Award from Monaco and the prestigious Legion d’honneur from France, Jiří Kylián will be able to mentor the spirit of a prodigious talent like Jason Akira Somma and hone his skill to perfection.

The crescendo of this mentor-protégé collaboration of the master choreographer Jiří Kylián and Jason Akira Somma is the co-creation of a dance that will celebrate the50th anniversary of the Nederlands Dans Theater.

Rolex is proud to be able to initiate a project like this that honors the capacity of the human will an d provides a platform for further development of artistic ability.

Commanding the respect of millions of people around the world, the Swiss brand Rolex is arguably the most valuable brands in the world. Generating revenues to the tune of 3 billion dollars, Rolex has been operating for more than a hundred years now.

Right from the time of its inception Rolex had a conspicuously different philosophy that aimed to lead the human race towards the collective celebration of the progress and work towards attaining perfection in every possible human endeavor. The essence of the Rolex principal was to propound the aspects of attaining perfection through devotion, focus and patience. More than inherent talent it is the will to achieve the extraordinary and the craving for excellence that drives the spirit to outperform. Armed with remarkable resilience Rolex brought with it changes that swept across the entire society and transformed more than just perception. It was responsible for alluring the hearts of men to the aspect of human attainment and the significance of honoring those who broke the barriers of pre-conceived notion. Over the years Rolex has been functioning it has been responsible for many changes that have completely changed the very essence of understanding the dimension of time. Even though numerous watch manufacturers have been in existence for many years now only a few can match the superior quality, the intricate craftsmanship and the unsurpassable performance of Rolex.

If ever there be a book written about the glorious achievements of mankind, it most definitely will mention Rolex and its incredible list of attainments. Responsible for many revolutionary changes Rolex has a list of firsts like being the first ever watch to ascend the slopes of the majestic Mt. Everest along with the legendary Sir Edmund Hillary. Creating the world fully functional waterproof watch by the name of Rolex Submariner, Rolex took the feature of water resistance much further and came out with the Rolex Sea Dweller, an incredibly powerful watch that is able to withstand water pressure at 12, 800 feet underwater. Also responsible for creating the first wristwatch with a date feature on the dial, along with the first watch that shows two time zones at once, Rolex has many such achievements to its credit. One of the most fantastic aspects of a Rolex timepiece is that it has one of the highest resale values and most of the earlier versions have become collector’s items. Proving its potentiality again and again, Rolex has been a vital part of many expeditions to the far corners of the world like the Moana expedition. Performing flawlessly in daunting weather conditions Rolex has become a favorite among the explorers and voyagers. If making the finest watches on this planets was not enough Rolex also supports a number of activities that promote the artistic vision and cultural pursuit of exceptional artists from around the world like the Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative and the Rolex Institute that honors exceptionally brilliant people. The Rolex Awards for Enterprise is an ambitious endeavor that propounds the remarkable achievements of people and its impact on the society. A large part of the revenue that is generated from the sale of Rolex watches is donated to charity and for varied philanthropic purposes.

Rolex is not a mere brand it has evolved into an idea, a revolution, a movement, a symbol and a purposeful ambition that inspires mankind when ever the time is bleak and the spirits burdened.