Design & People identify how design can intervene to make a contribution to the ongoing efforts to improve the lives of people disadvantaged by war, disability, and political and environmental conditions. We unite and encourage graphic, industrial and architectural designers to use their experience and skills towards social and humanitarian projects. Mission: Design For People In Need. | 1 | 2 | 3 | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
August 9-13, 2003 / Cochin, Kerala
Cochin: 'Portrait of A Corporate Crime', an exhibition of photographs documenting the 'Bhopal gas tragedy and after' by Padmashri Raghu Rai was inaugurated by the eminent filmmaker, Shri Adoor Gopalakrishnan on August 9, 2003 at the Kerala Lalitha Kala Academy Gallery, Ernakulam. The exhibition of 58 photographs was brought to Kerala for the first time by Design & People in association with the Greenpeace India. Unlike similar ceremonies, a lamp was not lit to mark the beginning of an event but in memory of thousands of people who died and suffering after the Bhopal gas tragedy in 1984. Shri Thomas Jacob (Chairman, Press Academy), Smt Leela Menon (Journalist), Shri KL Mohana Varma (Novelist), Shri Ganesh Nochur (Campaigner, Greenpeace), Shri Sethu Das and Shri Suku Dass (Co-founders, Design & People) spoke on the event. 'Creative Resistance' - a collection of writings published by Design & People was released by Shri Thomas Jacob by handing over a copy to Shri Joseph John, an architect. Shri Adoor Gopalakrishnan released an audio-CD produced by Design & People titled 'Talk Sense Series' containing a speech by Dr Vandana Shiva on 'Towards Compassionate Economy and Technology' with an introduction by Prof Samdhong Rinpoche. Premiere of the documentary 'Miles to Go' by Nina Subramnani marked the end of this five day long event.
September 13, 2003 / Alwaye, Kerala
Alwaye: Greenpeace India, in association with various environment organisations, including Design & People, organised the 'Save Periyar Rally' against the backdrop of shocking revelations brought forth by a recently-released Greenpeace-led health survey. The organisations teamed up with the rally, which began from Sivaratri Manappuram at Alwaye on September 13, 2003. Cartoonist Yesudasan formally inaugurated the rally by drawing a cartoon whilst standing in midst of the waters of Periyar, accompanied by a song, "Puzhayitha Ozhukunnu, Ozhukunnu, Valarunnu…" extolling the virtues of the river. The rally passed through the Alwaye Railway Station, the industrial belt at Edayar and Eloor, Kaloor Bus stand, Ernakulam Boat Jetty and Fort Cochin, before reaching Karimukal, where the stiff resistance put up by the people against the Philips Carbon Black Company still continues unabated. A torch light procession was taken out in front of the factory. Folk songs by 'Karinthalakkoottam' were sung all through the rally.
March 20, 2004 / Ernakulam, Kerala
Ernakulam: To protest the year-long illegal occupation of Iraq by the US and its allies, Design & People organised a mass signature campaign and a public meet at the Marine Drive, Ernakulam on March 20, 2004. Justice Shri KK Narendran (Former Judge, Kerala High Court) inaugurated the signature campaign by signing on a 15-metre-long cloth. In his speech KK Narendran congratulated the brave Iraqi people for resisting the foreign soldiers and the peace-loving people all around the world supporting their resistance. Ananda Surya (Artist-Activist), Sethu Das (Co-founder, Design & People), CR Neelakandan (Write-Activist), Geo Jose (NAPM), Dr KS David (Psychiatrist), K Nandini (Advocate), Benny Joseph (Janapaksham) and Suku Dass (Co-founder, Design & People) also spoke on the occasion. The signature campaign attracted hundreds of people from all walks of life and was in full swing till late evening. The cloth-scroll containing thousands of signatures was then sent to David Mulford, US Ambassador to India, but he never bothered to acknowledge it.
November 20, 2004 / Ernakulam, Kerala
Ernakulam: 'Story of Two Liberations' - discussion and the screening of 'Red Flag Over Tibet' (Orville Schell) and 'Fahrenheit 9/11' (Michael Moore) were organised by Design & People in association with Friends of Tibet at the Indian Medical Association Hall, Ernakulam on November 20, 2004. In the introductory remarks, Sethu Das, president of Friends of Tibet compared Sir Francis Younghusband's mission to Tibet in search of Russian arms with the search for Weapons of Mass Destruction by the US in Iraq. Dr KS Radhakrishnan, Vice Chancellor, Kalady University spoke about the 'Politics of Invasions' which was followed by a question-answer session. He condemned the invasions and demanded the withdrawal of aggressors from both Iraq and Tibet. He also said that the battles are not between 'democracy' and 'terror', but between conquering imperialist powers and resistance movements trying to drive them out. Suku Dass of Design & People thanked the participants of the discussion.
December 22, 2004 / Mattanchery, Kerala
Mattanchery: Design & People in association with Kashi Art Café, organised 'Introducing Cobworks with Elke Cole' - a workshop on natural building at Kashi Gallery, Bazaar Road, Mattanchery on December 22, 2004. The workshop was conducted by well-known Canadian architect Elke Cole, who is a trainer with Cobworks - a group which specialises in building cob and earth-houses. Elke Cole lives in Vancouver and designs, builds and teaches 'houses that love you back' and involved with natural building since 1994. Suku Dass of Design & People who is also an architect gave introductory remarks. This one-day long workshop included a talk, presentation and demonstration on soil evaluation. Anoop Scaria of Kashi Art Café gave vote of thanks.
December 26, 2004 / Fort Cochin, Kerala
Fort Cochin: Fort Cochin: Artists, cultural personalities and environmentalists from across the country gathered at the Fort Cochin beach on December 26, 2004 to organise a campaign for spreading the awareness on the promise given by the Kerala Chief Minister for putting an end to the toxic pollution of the river Periyar. The campaign organised jointly by Kashi Art Café and Design & People marked the beginning of the countdown towards March 16 - the date promised. Eminent artists included Raajan M Krishnan, Rimzon, NN Mohandas, Raghunath, Shosha Joseph, CJ Pramod, Manoj Brahmamangalam, George, Upendran, Alex Mathew, Joshe and Jyoti Basu. 'Miles to Go' a documentary on 33 toxic hot-spots in India was screened at the Kashi Art Café.
January 2, 2005 / Mattanchery, Kerala
Mattanchery: Renowned German social-designer, Sandy Kaltenborn, spoke on the topic 'Design Is Not Enough' at a programme organised by Design & People in association with Kashi, at the Kashi Gallery, Bazaar Road, Mattanchery, Cochin on January 2, 2005. Kaltenborn is a politically engaged designer who works mainly on social, cultural and political contexts. He presented his works and then answered questions posed to him by the members of the audience. Sandy Kaltenborn is the founding member of 'ImageShift' and 'Collective Distribution', an international network of graphic designers. He has exhibited his posters in various countries including Germany, UK, Australia, Korea and France. Sandy, who did his art studies in San Francisco and in Berlin and now teaches at various universities, believes that without social and political perspectives and utopia, there won't be any future for Design. Sethu Das of Design & People, a graphic designer himself, and Anoop Scaria of Kashi, also spoke on the occasion.
"The main function of art is not, as is often assumed, to put across ideas, to propagate thoughts, to serve as example. The aim of art is to prepare a person for death, to plough and harrow his soul, rendering it capable of turning to good."
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