Regional magazine promotes peace through poster design contest

Beirut -- BEIRUT: Peace is spreading in the Middle East - at least it is through art. ArabAd, a regional monthly communications and business magazine based in Beirut, launched its first poster design contest this year with the theme of the competition centered around peace. In celebration of the peace sign's 50th anniversary, the contest is being held under the slogan, "If we can't make peace, at least celebrate it!"
The initiative asks artists from all over the Middle East to submit artwork representing peace, solidarity and tolerance. The only stringent rule the artists must adhere to is to display the peace sign in their work.
Ghada Azzi, managing editor of ArabAd and the mastermind behind the initiative, says the poster contest is a great opportunity to involve the creative community.
Azzi added that the contest was crucial in helping tackle issues through grassroots movements. "I believe events like these are good for positive movements. They show how art can play a crucial role. Through creativity we are encouraging people to think about peace. [The peace symbol] is just three lines but we have become so used to it that we forgot its true meaning. Through art and design, it'll be far reaching somehow," she said.
ArabAd has already received 60 submissions from around the region, with about two weeks left until the deadline. The contest will culminate with a party that will be held in South Lebanon to launch the exhibition of the artwork. The art will then be displayed in an exhibit at the Art Lounge Gallery in Beirut for a month.
The winning design will be chosen by a jury consisting of design professionals, ad agency employees, artists and scholars. ArabAd hopes that the winning poster will be displayed across the region to promote ideas of peace. "It's not about ArabAd anymore. It's about the messages in the artwork," Azzi said.
ArabAd has already been receiving submissions from various countries, including Kuwait, Qatar, Dubai, Lebanon, and even some from outside the Middle East. Many submissions portray overtly political or religious themes. Yet, according to Azzi, "the interesting thing is to see how everyone thinks about peace and what are the means to reach peace and overcome the obstacles."
ArabAd would eventually like to expand the contest to a global level, and base each year's theme around public awareness issues. The magazine is already in contact with an arts organization in Los Angeles, California, to collaborate and exchange artwork.
The deadline is July 25. For information, visit www.arabadvertising.blogspot.com.