Spotted in India: Indo-Pak Peace Project

I arrived in India on New Year's Day and was pleasantly surprised to learn about Aman Ki Asha, a new Indian Pakistani peace project initiated by The Times of India and the Jang Group. I spotted these giant signs in Mumbai and saw this entertaining ad on the local TV...

Linkage: From Dumpster Pools to Slum Tours

Turning dumpsters into public pools, gardens, skate ramps...and more! (image shown) via

Shop Well With You is a body image resource for women surviving cancer.

Helping street vendors understand their rights visually. (image shown) via

Slum tours, the future of tourism?

Anti-war ads show what goes around comes around literally. (image shown)

Once again Sappi is offering grants for design projects around social issues. via

"Now Slower with More Bugs" stickers for software or organic gardening! via

The future of insulation? Mushrooms! Thanks Carlos!

Heavy Metal in Baghdad

I just saw this documentary about the only heavy metal band in Iraq and was surprised to discover how moving it really was. It gives a glimpse into the reality of day-to-day life in post 9/11 Iraq that definitely needs to be seen by more people in the US...

Tales of a 4th Grade Something...

There are teachers that you never forget, teachers that change your life for the better and make the world a better place one student at a time. For people going to public school in Richmond, Virginia in the 80's (like my sister and myself) John Hunter was one of those teachers. So it isn't surprising (but completely delightful) to discover that he's still at it all these years later in Charlottesville, Virginia. He and a cooperative game he developed are now the subject of a new documentary by Rosalia Films called "World Peace: and other 4th-grade achievements". World Peace requires young students to grapple and resolve real-world problems in a way that ends not with a bang but with a cheer. The trailer, which is quite moving (though not embeddable), can be seen HERE.

Here John talks briefly about the game:



For more about the game and John read this recent Christian Science Monitor article HERE.

The invasion of the Miniscule Blue Helmets!

Dutch artist Pierre Derks is following the travels of an army of little men with blue helmets that's been appearing all over the world. His Miniscule Blue Helmets on a Massive Quest site is documenting their appearances on a world map along with photo and video evidence of their presence. In February 500 of the troops took over a phone booth in Delft (images shown). Where will they end up next? I have a feeling their first US visit is in not far off...

Call for Entries: Imagine Peace

A call for art and writing for a "visual encyclopedia" about peace, specifically in relation to Gaza from Institute Design2context in Switzerland...

At the Institute Design2context, of the Zurich University for the Arts, we are working on an international and socio-politically highly ambitious educational and creative research project titled "Imagine Peace! A visual and critical encyclopedia". It is at the heart of the project to collect world wide representations and imagery of the peace and to gain the collaboration of well known designers, theorists, writers and critics around the world to discuss and exchange critical visions and visualizations of it, without catering to any specific religious belief/history or sectarian creed.

The publication will be a collection of historical, contemporary, posters, drawings, symbols, signs etc. with representations of peace based on the thesis that today’Äôs discordances and hostilities express the absence of proper imaginations of peace.

We are calling for images about Peace, in the context of the recent Gaza Assault. We would like to know whether you could post our call for it.

Imaging Peace! is aimed as an exchange project, a source and networking knot for everyone active for the cause and creation of peace, be it in a political or personal context.

We'd be happy to answer any concerns you might have. Hereby you will find embedded the link to our database (in progress) for more information about the project. http://peace.zhdk.ch/

(deadline May 2009)

Linkage: Bad Water, Living Signs, etc.

VitaminWater sued for fraudulent health claims by Center for Science in the Public Interest. via

Signs come to life in the Pedestrian Project (image shown) via

Post Obama Shepard Fairy uses xConstructivism to sell for Saks (image shown)

Guantanamo's dark cloud as manifest by artist Julia Mandle via

Reallife: the latest social networking fad! via

Call for submissions: Essays from Jewish and Arab-Americans on peace in the Middle East. Thanks Mim!

War Is Over...If You Want It

New Yorkers were surprised with free "special edition" copies of the New York Times this morning with the lead story "IRAQ WAR ENDS". The issue which is dated July 4, 2009 also features articles on expanded bike paths and free universities among other positive news.

The papers, which were distributed throughout Manhatten were a project of the group Becasue We Want It, which according to Gawker is actually famous pranksters The Yes Men in yet another guise.

You can read all of the articles on their accompanying website HERE. Watch their video news release below...

Balloon Tank

"German Panther" by Hans Hemmert

via Boing Boing

Visualization: A Year In Iraq

The New York Times recently published this visualization fatalities in Iraq last year. It definitely helps to make it a reality by moving beyond the numbers. The full article is HERE (requires login). Or just click on the image at left to see a full-size version.

Body of War

Body of War is a new documentary about what happens to a soldier who returns home paralyzed after fighting in Iraq...




Thanks Melinda!

My Favorite Pen

I teach a class on socially conscious design and as a way of demonstrating the power of design to explain complicated issues I use a pen as a prop. It's not just any pen though, it's one designed by Stefan Sagmeister for the community action group TrueMajority.org as a means of demonstrating the disproportionate spending on the U.S. military in comparison to our "enemies". The reverse shows how a fraction of that budget could be used to fully support several other government programs that have continual underfunding problems. To buy your own pens and other well designed politically minded goodies check out the TrueMajorityShop.

Miss Landmine 2008

The Miss Landmine competition in Angola is a simultaneous protest against the use of deadly landmines and a celebration of a broader view of beauty. Created by Norwegian artist Morten Traavik the competition will culminate in a live event on April, 4 2008. You can read about the candidates and vote for a winner on the Miss Landmine site.

via Boing Boing

Iraqi Journalist Killed

I was extremely saddened to hear of the death of Ali Shafeya Al-Moussawi, an Iraqi correspondent for Alive in Baghdad. Alive in Baghdad is one of the only outlets for Iraqi journalists to give a real view of daily life in their country via weekly videos. Ali Shafeya was killed in his home by Iraqi National Guard force. Get more details and find out how to help Ali's family HERE.

Istanbul Biennial: Optimism in the time of Global War

My friend Sarah was able to visit this year's Istanbul Bienale, whose theme was "Not Only Possible, But Also Necessary: Optimism in the Age of Global War". She sent some photos of the excellent installation "The Invisible Enemy Should Not Exist" by Michael Rakowitz which consisted of recreations of treasures stolen from the National Museum of Iraq made entirely out of Middle Eastern food packaging and newspapers.

Tearing down Guantanamo...one pixel at a time.

Amnesty International is collecting signatures for a petition urging the closing Guantanmo Bay using an interface that allows an image of the prison to be dismantled on pixel at a time (for a total of 500,000 pixels. Find out more and remove your own pixel at: TearItDown.org.

Henry Rollins' Ember of Rage

Henry Rollins talking in Israel about his experiences volunteering with the USO...



via Glumbert

Thanks Melinda!

Iraq War Soldiers + Blogs = Peace?

Members of the Iraq Veterans Against the War speak out about the power of blogging at the recent Yearly Kos convention...




For more on the event read "Iraq: The 'Gift' That Keeps On Giving" from the Center for Media and Democracy.

Not again.

When the current Iraq war started someone (I wish I could remember who) told me that we would see Iran targeted for a war next, and apparently, according to FOX, that time has arrived...

Iraq War e-mail Scam

I guess it was only a matter of time, but it's still shocking to see this variation on the Nigeran Scam appear in my inbox today:

Hello,

I am. eric miller, I am a British soldier attached to UN peace keeping force in Iraq, I Am the commanding officer of the First Battalion of the Royal Irish Regiment, as you may Know everyday, there are several cases of insurgents attacks and suicide bombs going on here. We managed to move funds belonging to some demised persons who were attackedand killed through insurgent attacks.

The total amount is US$15 Million dollars in cash. We want to move this money to you, so That you may keep our share for us until when we shall come over to meet you. We will take 70%, my partner and I. You take 30%. No strings attached, just help us move it out of Iraq, Iraq is a war zone. We plan on using Diplomatic courier and shipping the money out in two large metallic Boxes, using diplomatic immunity.If you are interested I will send you the full details, my job is to find a good partner that we can trust and that will assist us. Can I trust you? When you receive this letter, kindly send me an e-mail signifying your interest including your most confidential telephone/fax numbers for quick communication also your

contact details.This business is risk free. The boxes can be shipped out in 48hrs.Please If you are Interested in Assisting, Then kindly Reply Through this Private and Confidential Email For further documentations and briefing" (XXXXX@XXXXXXXX).

PLEASE, TREAT THIS PROPOSAL AS TOP SECRET.

Respectfully,

MAJOR. ERIC MILLER

Purple Hearts

Purple Hearts: Back from Iraq, a new book from photographer Nina Berman, features intimate images of soldiers who were injured in the line of duty while serving in the current Iraq war. More information and images here.

(image copyright 2004 Nina Berman)

This American Life: Tweezerman in Iraq

The always entertaining, frequently moving, radio show This American Life's recent episode "#337: Man vs. History", contains a fascinating story about the socially conscious entrepreneur Dal LaMagna A.K.A. Tweezerman and his attempt to curb the violence in Iraq:

He thought he could get the Sunni resistance to sit down with Coalition forces to negotiate a cease-fire. So he hooked up with a member of the Iraqi parliament named Mohammed Al-Dynee and headed to Baghdad and Amman, where, remarkably, doors opened to him.

You can listen to the show online (and even find out how download it as a podcast) here.

News Roundup

A few more great stories from the Christian Science Monitor:

• The Donkey Health and Welfare Project helps the often under appreciated pack animal in Ethiopia.
• Chocolate, yet another product that fuels war in Africa.
• "Can 'Green Chic' save the planet?"

About the Monitor

PeaceMaker the game.

Think you'd do a better job solving the problems in the Middle East? PeaceMaker, a new video game created by a former Israeli soldier, gives you the opportunity to try. Watch the gameplay trailer below or visit the site to play a demo.



Thanks Jen!

Care Packages for the Mind

If you really want to "support our troops" my mother suggests folks participate in Books for Soldiers. She recently signed up as a volunteer for the group which coordinates the sending of "care packages for the mind" to specific individual soldiers. As my mom says, "No matter what our position on the war, there are members of the military far from home who are in need of being remembered."

To volunteer of find out more go here.

Thanks Mim!

Terrorist Logos

Ironic Sans has an fascinating article on the design of terrorist organizations logos. While more an overview than a definitive study it is certainly an engrossing compendium which begs some interesting unanswered questions about how these logos get designed and by whom.

Retired Weapons

Retired Weapons is an ongoing art project of Japanese designers Yuji Tokuda and Junya Ishikawa which features images of a wide range of "retired" weapons with flowers growing out of them. A recent exhibition in Milan included a life-sized inflatable tank with a flower growing out it's bent gun barrel as well. Their interactive site has downloadable graphics which the artists encourage folks to share.

via Rebel Art

Propaganda Critic

Aaron Delwiche's site Propaganda Critic, was created to continue the pioneering work of the Institute for Propaganda Analysis, which promoted critical propaganda analysis from 1937-1942. The site, which has been online since 1994, provides an overview of propaganda techniques and gives historical and recent examples. There's also a page of links to classic propaganda films hosted on the Internet Archive.

via Social Design Notes

Child Soldier Tea Set

Child Soldier Tea set from exhibition in Lucerne, Switzerland. Via Christian Science Monitor.

Tiny Metal Soldier

My friend Tere made this striking piece for ThinkSmall3 a miniature art (3"x3"x3" or smaller) show in Richmond, VA in 2005. The removable crucifix is actually piercing the soldier and holding him onto the velvet surface. The frame is covered in hash marks connoting the number of soldiers that had died in Iraq (over 1000 at that time). It's called "In Bush We Trust".

Oliver Stone on Iraq

Oliver Stone recently directed a commercial for MoveOn.org based on their recent VideoVets campaign. Here he discusses his feelings about the current war in Iraq and making the commercial...

Extended Ribbon

Another great take on the Yellow Ribbon from Clay Bennett.

Previously:
Tattered Ribbon
Infinite Ribbon

Vegetable Weapons

Love these photographs of women holding guns made from the vegetables in their favorite recipes by Japanese artist Tsuyoshi Ozawa.

Afterwards the dish is cooked and shared by the artist and subject.

Additional images here, here, here, and here.


via Sum1

The VideoVets Project

As part of their latest anti-war campaign, The VideoVets Project, MoveOn.org has collected 20+ interviews with actual Iraq war veterans and their families willing to speak out. Now they're asking for visitors to the site to help decide which are the most powerful and eventually they will be turned into a TV commercial by Oliver Stone. You can watch them all now and vote here or sample one below...

War is a Game

These striking ads from the International Rescue Committee show how your donations can allow them to continue to help, but the other message (whether intended or unintended I don't know) that war is a stupid game, that you rarely come out of as a winner, seems even more appropriate to me.

via Houtlust

File Under Irony: Environmentally Friendly Bullets

Don't know how I missed this story until now...

Arms manufacturer BAE Systems has developed a range of "environmentally friendly" weapons, including a lead-free bullet. An article in The Sunday Times quotes a BAE representative as saying:

"Weapons are going to be used and when they are, we try to make them as safe for the user as possible, to limit the collateral damage and to impact as little as possible on the environment."

Read the entire article here.

Charting The War

This succinct chart was recently published in the Christian Science Monitor.

Soldier Alphabet

This disturbingly affecting alphabet made from plastic toy soldiers is the work of student artist/designer Oliver Munday.

The work is featured alongside an interview with him in a recent post on Speak Up.

Iraq War Memorial

In honor of the 4th anniversary of the start of the current Iraq war the Brave New Foundation, which helps people use the media to talk about social issues, has created the simple and powerful online Iraq Veterans Memorial...



Thanks Melinda.