The Durst Organization and New York Artist Laurance Rassin Team Up to Raise Awareness for Chabad's Children of Chernobyl (CCOC)

NEW YORK, Feb. 19, 2010-  The Durst Organization and New York artist Laurance Rassin announced today that they are teaming up to raise awareness and funding for Chabad's Children of Chernobyl (CCOC), the only organization in the world that permanently evacuates children from the devastated region of Chernobyl.  To date, 2,674 children have been evacuated on 89 rescue missions; the 90th flight is scheduled to take off in the next month.

The Durst Organization will hold a cocktail reception with the artist, at the Conde Nast Building, 4 Times Square on May 6th, starting at 6p.m. The exhibit will be held from April 29th- June 4th, featuring original works from Laurance Rassin's esteemed collection to benefit CCOC. This marks the first solo exhibition by Laurance Rassin, artistic director

of the New Blue Riders, a contemporary group of neo-Expressionist artists.

"The work of Laurance Rassin continues along the historical lines of fine art painters working in figurative studies in ceramic and bronze set forth in the tradition of artists such as Bouthaud,Raoul Dufy and Picasso," said Frank Maraschiello, Vice President/Director Bonhams & Butterfields New York Fine Art Auctioneers.

Those interested in learning more about Chabad's Children of Chernobyl (CCOC) and how they can help can visit www.ccoc.net.

About The Durst Organization

The Durst Organization, founded in 1915 by Joseph Durst, is the owner, manager and builder of 9 million square feet of premiere mid-town Manhattan office and residential properties. The Organization is recognized as a world leader in the development of high-performance and environmentally advanced commercial and residential property. See

www.durst.org for more on The Durst Organization.

About Laurance Rassin

Laurance Rassin, New York artist and artistic director of The New Blue Riders, continues to create a sumptuous and color filled world, enveloping his audience in signature large scale impasto oil paintings, bronze sculptures, ceramics, tapestries, and textiles in his unique style. Weaving an over-arching narrative with over 500 original works of art, Laurance interjects humor to his whimsical characters and interior scenes allowing his fictional almost cinematic

stories to unfold. His work is featured regularly at Bonhams & Butterfields, 20th Century in Manhattan. See www.thenewblueriders.com/laurance/ for more on Rassin.

About Chabad's Children of Chernobyl (CCOC)

Chabad's Children of Chernobyl (CCOC) is a not-for-profit organization that evacuates kids from the radioactive Chernobyl region and provides them with critical medical care, new homes, and an excellent education in Israel. CCOC also provides women and children currently living in the radioactive zone with medicine and advanced medical equipment.

Media Contact: For more information, please contact: Rachel Fertel, Special Events Coordinator at Chabad's Children of Chernobyl, 675 Third Avenue, Suite 3210 New York, NY 10017, (212) 681-7800 or rfertel@ccoc.net.