One
week after the September 11th attacks on our country, I assigned
my class a response project, to design a counter-terrorism
poster with our imaginary client, The United Nations. The
students researched W.W.II propaganda posters and studied
The United Nations website, www.un.org,
focusing on the UN's Charter and the latest developments inside
the “UN Action Against Terrorism” section of the
website.
They were given parameters on size, limited color and the
concepts were to have a humanitarian and global message. This
was a challenge with the students' expected mix of anger,
sadness and fear. The classroom discussions were lively and
emotional. They helped each other illustrate and craft the
slogans, adding a new dimension to the art.
I sent the UN an introduction to our project and two weeks
later emailed completed versions of the posters. The next
day I received a request for two copies of the posters from
Jan Arnesen, Chief of UN Exhibits. One set of posters will
be displayed in the lobby of the General Assembly building
from Nov. 18, 2001 to Jan. 10, 2002. As well, another set
will be at the City Hall in Oslo, Norway, Nov. 23, 2001 to
Dec. 17, 2001 for the 100th Anniversary of The Nobel Peace
Prize.
As a teacher, the most powerful occurrence during this project
was the profound sense of unity the students were able to
create with each other. There was a deep commitment of working
towards something higher than a grade or a portfolio piece.
It was synergy, unity, love and compassion all blended together
with a huge dose of human creativity. It made all of us feel
that we were doing something positive and proactive about
a very frightening situation. It has been healing.
--Randee S. Fox, Illustration Concepts Instructor, Austin
Community College, Texas, U.S.A. |
