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 eminent filmmaker, Shri Adoor Gopalakrishnan on August 9, 2003 at the Kerala Lalitha Kala Academy Gallery, Ernakulam, Kerala. The exhibition containing 58 original photographs of Raghu Rai was brought to Kerala for the first time by Design & People in association with the Greenpeace India. The exhibition was also the beginning of the activities of Design & People and Greenpeace in Kerala state. Unlike similar ceremonies, a lamp was not lit to mark the beginning of an event but in memory of thousands of people who died 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 (Greenpeace Campaigner), Sethu Das and Suku Dass (Co-founders, Design & People) spoke on the event. 'Creative Resistance' — journal of writings published by Design & People was released by Shri Thomas Jacob by handing over a copy to Shri Joseph John, a Kochi-based architect. Shri Adoor Gopalakrishnan released an audio-CD produced by Design & People titled 'Talk Sense Series' containing speeches 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. Renowned cartoonist Yesudasan from Kerala 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 Karimughal, 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 by the local people in association with activists from other environmentorganisation. Folk songs by 'Karinthalakkoottam' were sung all through the rally.
March 20, 2004 / Ernakulam, Kerala
Ernakulam: To protest the year-long illegal military 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 Shri KK Narendran congratulated the brave Iraqi people for resisting the foreign soldiers and the peace-loving people all around the world with their support for the on-going resistance. Shri Ananda Surya (Artist-Activist), Sethu Das (Co-founder, Design & People), Shri CR Neelakandan (Write-Activist), Shri Geo Jose (NAPM), Dr KS David (Psychiatrist), Shri K Nandini (Advocate), Shri Benny Joseph (Janapaksham) and Suku Dass (Co-founder, Design & People) spoke on the occasion. The Signature Campaign attracted hundreds of people from all walks of life. The cloth-scroll containing thousands of signatures was then sent to David Mulford, US Ambassador to India.
November 20, 2004 / Ernakulam, Kerala
Ernakulam: 'Story of Two Liberations' — a 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 Sanskrit University spoke about the 'Politics of Invasions' followed by a question-answer session. He condemned the invasions and demanded the withdrawal of aggressors from both Iraq and Tibet. Dr KS Radhakrishnan also added that the battles are not between 'democracy' and 'terror', but between conquering imperialist powers and resistance movements trying to drive them out. Suku Dass, Co-founder Design & People thanked 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 also a trainer with Cobworks —
a group that specialises in building cob and earth-houses. Elke Cole lives in Vancouver and designs, builds and teaches 'houses that love you back'. She is involved with natural building since 1994. Suku Dass, Architect and Co-founder of Design & People gave introductory remarks to the one-day workshop that included a talk, presentation and demonstration on soil evaluation. Anoop Scaria of Kashi Art Café gave vote of thanks.
December 26, 2004 / Fort Kochi, Kerala
Fort Kochi: Cultural personalities, environmentalists and artists from different parts of India gathered at the Fort Kochi beach on December 26, 2004 to participate in the 'Periyar Promise' campaign for spreading the awareness to remind the Kerala government about the promise given by the Kerala Chief Minister for putting an end to the toxic pollution of the river Periyar in Kerala. The campaign organised jointly by Kashi Art Café and Design & People marked the beginning of the countdown towards March 16 — the promised date. Eminent artists like Shri Raajan M Krishnan, Shri Rimzon, Shri NN Mohandas, Shri Raghunath, Smt Shosha Joseph, Shri CJ Pramod, Shri Manoj Brahmamangalam, Shri George, Shri Upendran, Shri Alex Mathew, Shri Joshe and Shri Jyoti Basu participated in the campaign. '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 and activist, Sandy Kaltenborn, spoke on 'Design Is Not Enough' at a programme organised by Design & People in association with Kashi, at Kashi Gallery, Bazaar Road, Mattanchery, Kochi on January 2, 2005. Kaltenborn, a politically-engaged designer who works mainly on social, cultural and political contexts, 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, now teaches at various universities. He believes that without social and political perspectives there won't be any future for Design. Sethu Das, Graphic Designer and Co-founder Design & People and Anoop Scaria of Kashi Art Café 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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