Exploring issues such as clean energy and air pollution, the FeliCity exhibition in Tehran focuses on the need for green solutions
The environmental state of Iran is far from rosy. Pollution is amongst the highest in the world, their groundwater supplies are being overexploited and lack of food security means Iranians are turning veggie (part-time, of course). There is hope however that all these problems could be resolved and the solution may even come in the shape of green graphic design. That’s what the secretary of an Italian design festival titled FeliCity which was hosted in Tehran recently insists. A firm believer in the “power and importance in graphics in ordinary life”, Stefano Meneghetti says that highlighting the problems experienced in urban life can help encourage innovators to explore solutions as well.
Following an invite from the Iranian environment and sustainable development municipality, Meneghetti took the Italian competition to Tehran. Iranian graphic designers were encouraged to submit their work which were exhibited in September. The aim of FeliCity is “to promote a debate around the basic theme of life in the community and how improvements can be made. The competition is an opportunity to express, manifest, symbolize and imagine solutions for a better city capable of improving the lifestyle of its inhabitants.”
Themes which were highlighted include the integration of different cultures and religions, disability as well as nature and safety. However, a lot of the work submitted by Iranian designers focused on the environmental issues facing the country, especially its cities. The FeliCity Festival motto is “Change your city, change your life” and is focused on solutions as much as the problems. Speaking to Tehran Times, Meneghetti said, “although the exhibition does not solve the problems in cities, it affects the minds of citizens [in terms of] how to solve some of the problems in their cities.”
Graphic art can’t save the world, Meneghetti admitted but it can help encourage positive change within the urban environment which many people find themselves living in. In the following post, I will be highlighting some of the best Iranian designs to make it to the competition finals so you can judge for yourself. If you would like to find out more about the event and its work, go to their website here.
: The exhibition was organized by Mohammad Hajhashemi with co.me Studio as FeliCity’s festival editor.
For more on Iran see:
It’s Official – Iran Has The Most Polluted Cities In The World
Food Shortages Could Force World To Go Veggie
Cheetahs In Iran On The Brink of Extinction
Saudi Arabia & Iran Are Overexploiting Their Groundwater Supplies
Images of the exhibition courtesy of Majid Hamed Haghdoust.
Author: Arwa Aburawa
Arwa is a Muslim freelance writer who is interested in everything climate change related and how Islam can inspire more people to care for their planet and take active steps to save it while we can. She is endlessly suspicious of all politicians and their ceaseless meetings, especially as they make normal people believe that they are not part of the solution when they are the ONLY solution. Her Indian auntie is her model eco-warrier, and when Arwa is not busy helping out in the neighborhood alleyway garden, swap shopping or attempting fusion vegetarian dishes- with mixed success, she’d like to add- she can be found sipping on foraged nettle tea.
