Traffic Safety – A serious worldwide problem
International poster competition – and exhibition - created by CIU/grafers platform
By Heidi Trautmann
Faculty members of the Graphic Design Department at
the Cyprus International University founded an activist platform to direct
activism combined with art on special problems and negative situations in our
societies in order to raise awareness locally and worldwide – with the first project
aiming at traffic safety. The impetus to discuss steps to take on and show
responsibility in the serious and increasing death toll on our roads was the
very sad motorbike accident of the beloved student Ali Gargınsu in 2014.
The website of the grafers platform gives detailed
information on its aims, the founding members and process of the Traffic Safety
project which was supported by CIU and endorsed by ico-D, the International
Council of Design.
http://www.ciu.edu.tr/grafers/home.html#about
On March 10, 2017 the public was invited to see the
outcome of the competition at the exhibition of the winners at the Atatürk
Cultural Centre in Nicosia in the upper exhibition hall. The exhibition was
opened by the Rector of CIU, Prof. Dr. Halil Nadiri and the Dean of the Faculty
of Fine Arts, Design and Architecture, Prof. Dr. Nezih Ayıran.
They both expressed the wish to be involved in raising
awareness publicly – not only as a private person but as the body of a university
having under their roof thousands of students coming from all over the world;
parents who entrust us with their children to educate them should not have to
fear for their lives.
We are all involved in making sure that our roads do
not become death traps, roads have to be kept in better conditions, lighting
along the roads; better education is one of the most important factors for
safety on the road, training of fresh license holders… but also in elementary
schools awareness can be taught; responsibility of each person when driving a
motor vehicle; better public transport possibilities and offering incentives to
use them; television and broadcasting companies should include traffic education
in their programmes.
The winners of the competition were: 1st
prize: Özge Kandemir; honourable mentions: Iva Bohacova and Ceren Doğuşlu. Jury
Special awards went to Vahid Fanodi from Iran; Edyta Kurc from Poland; Sergio
Olivotti from Italy, Patryk Krygowski from Poland and Tore Terrasi from USA. The ‘grafers’ were very happy to have 314
entries come in of which a jury of eight academics and designers chose 50 for
the exhibition.
A great compliment to the ‘grafers organisers' and their
colleagues:
Grafers’ Organisers:
Elif Songür Dağ, Roya Alagheband, Vildan Açan, Omid Kalantar Motemadi, Ali
Katırcı; Publicity: Vildan Açan, Omid Kalantar Motemadi, Ali Katırcı; Web and
Graphic: Roya Alagheband; Web Support and Service: CIU Computer Centre, Salih
Bayır.
The exhibition will be open until March 24, viewing
times weekdays: 9 am – 3 pm except Thursdays: 9 am -12.30 pm and 2.30-5.30 pm.
I do hope that the Ministries concerned will seek the
opportunity to take notice of the event and also to open their doors for
cooperation on all fields to better the situation of our roads and the safety
of the immense traffic volume.
PS: I cannot show all 50 posters, but only those I personally like. I like it simple....; they are all well done. In due time all posters will be displayed on grafers website.