Living Separately
Public poster, originally a 19th century creation, is still relevant today as an effective mass communication device. Current digital production technologies have expanded the poster’s role well beyond the limitations of the printed surface. But on-screen viewing aside, in a live encounter there is no denying the immediacy of a forceful, well-expressed poster. And if the concerned subject is illustrated in the plural, through multiple concepts in as many posters, its impact intensifies. This amplification was central to the ‘Freedom of Movement’ show at The Second Floor, Karachi (Jan 18 – 21). A feature of ‘Posters for Tomorrow’ organisations’ annual exhibition, this 2017 exhibition lobbied for immigrant rights and status.
Today migration is a global crisis. This phenomenon is riddled with important ethical issues which, unfortunately, are not being addressed with the thought and concern they deserve. One of the most significant questions is the question of whether liberal democratic societies have strong moral obligations to admit immigrants or are morally free to restrict immigration. Populists and moderates argue that immigration restrictions are inconsistent with basic liberal democratic values, including freedom and moral equality. The other claim is that affluent, liberal democratic societies are morally obligated to admit immigrants as a partial response to global injustices, such as poverty and human rights violations. While these issues remain unresolved, migrant dehumanisation continues to escalate. Horror stories of discrimination resulting in death, violence and abuse are common tabloid fare today.
The ‘Freedom for Movement’ poster exhibition may appear as a soft reflection on a grave issue but the truth and simplicity in these mixes of colour, image and sentiment, spiked with humour and sensitivity, catch one off-guard. This is political art at its most direct, and brevity of content makes for a focused approach. The usual symbols of protest art — iron cage, barbed wire, chain, white dove, olive branch, flag and clenched fist — all appear in new creative guises.
The ‘Freedom for Movement’ poster exhibition may appear as a soft reflection on a grave issue, but the truth and simplicity in these mixes of colour, image and sentiment, catch one off-guard
A witty poster, ‘Borders of USA’, has the American flag crafted out of barbed wires but even more ingenious is the ‘Refugee’ poster, which sports a travelling suitcase made out of these deadly twines. The flag image variations include a poster from Thailand called ‘Living Separately’. It comprises a composite collection of containers stamped with national flags of different countries housing residents which signals a ‘together yet apart’ message.