The Story
Preamble
In 2017, for the first time, Iranian graphic designers were placed side-by-side with 20 posters by their American counterparts and other nationalities across the globe, all expressing their visions of Peace in an international environment more hostile in recent memories. Furthermore, these expressions were displayed simultaneously in Tehran (the Capital of Iran) - in a transformed jail facility - and Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA - a "'Red" state proud of its conservative perspectives. Yet all audiences were confronted with one united message - the inherent humanistic desire for equality and Peace. Since then, the exhibition has travelled across the globe and unified designers and audiences under the umbrella of peace through display and sharing posters an artwork from diverse cultures and countries such as Iran, United States, Mexico, Denmark, and China.
After overseeing the 20X20 Poster for Peace for more than eight years, the dissemination of the message of Peace throughout the world through more than forty venues and events, and touching more than 2000 lives, it's time to move to the next phase. As the director and cofounder 20X20 Posters for Peace, I have initiated a new endeavor: Design, for Peace & Justice. In this new perspective, we will expand the message of Peace to apply to the broad realm of subjects needing addressing – including that of Social Justice – with the power of graphic design and the lens of design activism. As a result, the Design for Peace and Justice will include most of the posters and artists in 20X20 Posters For Peace but expand the exhibitions and outreach to a broader realm, continuing the dissemination of the message of Peace through the unifying language of graphic design throughout the world.
Poster Exhibitions
Our exhibition is comprised of posters from renowned designers as well as up and coming fresh perspectives from younger designers all brought forth to communicate the diverse approaches towards the message of peace. Gathering of a visual vernacular and aesthetics from cultures from across the world allows the viewer to embed themselves in the and to understanding that pieces, not a single message, but an inherent desire that applies to humanity across geographies cultures and religions. Each poster in our archive was commissioned and originated for our cars and we appreciate all designers who have trusted us with using their artwork to disseminate the message of peace. Selections from the exhibition can be chosen to be exhibited at your location and based on the needs and objectives of your event.
Panels & Lecturs
Lectures include a broad spectrum of subjects, relating to poster, design, design, activism, and innovations and designs for peace. Due to that extensive knowledge of our participants, we can customize the lecture for your event to meet your needs in the framework mentioned above. What keeps our contents unified is Dissemination of the message of peace through the lens of Art and Design.
Wokshops & Interactions
Beyond viewing the poster exhibition, to truly make an impact I t’s important for participants to gain a hands-on understanding of how to innovate and create visual approaches towards the message of peace. Sometimes it’s best be done in a short workshop by using collage methodologies and other times a multi-day workshop that runs through the broad spectrum of design : from research to conceptualization, science of semiotics,usage of typography and a final critique. Depending on the timeline at hand and your resources a broad, spectrum of workshops can be suggested and implemented in your event associated with the exhibition of the posters for peace.
"The more we sweat in peace, the less we bleed in war."
Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit
Our Goal
Our mission is to bring the universal message of peace to each and every human being, through education an and the universal language of design , to sow the seeds of peace; from each individual to communities and beyond.
Pouya Jahanshahi
An educator, scholar and curator, currently Associate Professor of Graphic Design at Oklahoma State University. He migrated from his home country of Iran, during the destructive Iran-Iraq War, receiving his MFA in Graphic design and Integrated Media, from California Institute of the Arts (CalArts).