The second Emirates International Poster Festival launched at the NADWA Virtual Space

Dubai UAE

Sallam Sallam

The Cultural and Scientific Association in Dubai (Nadwa) organizes the second Emirates International Poster Festival 2020 under the theme of “HOPE” as a part of Dubai Design Week. EIPF is a creative institution initiated by NADWA to expand creative expression, to promote graphic design practice and creative thinking in the region, as well as to showcase and celebrate contemporary poster design from around the world.

Under the theme of Hope, the second Emirates International Poster Festival (EIPF) brings together the masters of contemporary poster design from 56 countries to promote and communicate the notion of Hope in the world. 163 posters were selected by 166 master designers form the following 56 countries: Argentina, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bolivia, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, China, Colombia, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Denmark, Ecuador, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kosovo, Laos, Liechtenstein, Macedonia, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherland, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sudan, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, UK, Ukraine, USA, Vietnam and UAE.

The works on show at the EIPF 2020, reflect the position of the poster as a powerful means of visual communication that can make a significant contribution to disseminate aspects of Hope, optimism, potentiality, positive thinking, choice and self-determination.

In these critical days, the Virtual Art Space of NADWA provides access to the wide public globally and invites everyone to be part of this event and experience the work of the masters of poster design from all over the world.

HE Bilal Rabei Al Bodour Chairman of NADWA & EIPF highlighted that Culture in its various elements is the bridge of human communication “and if language is the instrument of expression through which human beings communicate the arts are the high language in which the designers express their own visions and it is a direct message between the creator and the viewer”. Visual arts are at the forefront of creative messages “because sight captures visual messages as soon as they are perceived” so the Culture and Scientific Association has aligned itself with the organization of the Emirates International Poster Festival “EIPF” as the creative medium that synthesizes many of the artists interpretations under the theme of EIPF.

International Designer and Educator Prof. Dr. Evripides Zantides, Cyprus University of Technology mentioned that, undoubtedly the second Emirates International Poster Festival EIPF2020 establishes Dubai in the world map of Graphic Communication history and Poster Design. Being the first of its kind in the MENA region, it has succeeded in encouraging creative expression under the theme of Hope, as well as in promoting positive thinking, optimism, courage and strength in the difficult times of the pandemic that we are living by. The second Festival has thriven in collecting a great number of excellent posters from a wide range of international countries and creative designers. Building on quality graphic design over quantity, EIPF is a remarkable initiative and an asset for the field of Graphic Communication and Poster design.

Prof. Arafat Al-Naim the curator of EIPF mentioned that, Posters in their capacity as a powerful means of visual communication can make a significant contribution to disseminate a culture of Hope, optimism, potentiality, positive thinking, choice and self-determination.

Posters are a unique form of visual communication for sharing information, human thoughts, response to local and global issues, promoting products or services.

The second EIPF is committed to embody positive change, promote and communicate a culture of Hope in the world. Hope is part of our daily practices. Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness. We constantly Hope for something, often in both, individual and collective level. We are proud to have original interpretation of the theme by leading world designers and thanks for NAWDA for being a platform for creative projects and making this possible.

The Dean of EIC Prof. Dahlia Mahmoud mentioned that The Emirates International Poster Festival this year is central to Hope as an overarching idea. Master Artists and Contemporary Designers group were invited to participate with their unique mark making processes to create a virtual exhibition filled with future forward posters of change. The digital space created demands individual responsivity from the viewers, as they are guided through a curated 360 tour of the innovative mind space of design thinkers and creatives contemplating “Hope”. In a time in dire need of sustainable hope practices to survive, this space allows for a quiet absorption of art in its own unique way. The colors and design textures somehow encourage the viewers to create their own markings, to fill in the gap between exhibition and participant, in a way that tangible spaces would be too structured to invite. The freedom to zoom-in and investigate, or whirl at a glance, allows for a personal and perhaps more freeing approach to experience the art of hope.

Dr Najat Makki Leading Emirate Designer and Curator of EIPF mentioned that in the second Emirates International Poster Festival, organized by the Dubai Culture and Science Symposium, seeks to highlight this special creativity of the artists and creators of the poster art, which depends primarily on how to communicate a particular idea in an innovative, simple and readable way through colour, shape or phrases that are written directly and clearly. This is a celebration of creativity, design and cultural and artistic exchange presented to the public in the UAE and all over the world. He mentioned that “I witness a distinguished elite of poster designers who had translated the theme (hope) into various visual ideas in the light of the current challenges and difficulties facing the world this very year, hope is the logical choice to face the light and darkness. The works on show at the virtual space of the NADWA and EIPF are one of the best works that I have seen in the field of poster design.”

The Chairman of the Design Alliance Asia designer William Harald-Wong stated that this year some of Asia’s master designers have responded, despite the very tight deadline, and contributed work towards EIPF’s noble vision—messages of positivity and optimism during these challenging times. EIPF also provides opportunities to designers residing in developing countries, many of which are not familiar to the world—Asia itself has 49 countries—though design has been an intrinsic part of their deep and rich cultures for centuries.

He also stated that “We are confident that EIPF will grow to become a prominent poster festival anticipated by the world for its remarkable range of diverse ideas and creativity.”

Prof. David Bieloh from Central Washington University mentioned that “The Emirates International Poster Festival is one of my favorite events of the year. Not only does the event showcase and celebrate contemporary poster design from around the world, it does so by focusing on global issues that are important to us all. Designers from all parts of the globe come together in the spirit of collaboration and unity to communicate their messages about critical themes like Tolerance and Hope. The importance of the cause in 2020 could not be more clear, and I am fortunate to be able to participate again this year. I am also especially honored to be selected to serve on the International Committee alongside so many distinguished design pioneers and professionals”.

The online exhibition can be viewed https://roundme.com/tour/646401