Creative Haze

Every winter， northern China becomes engulfed in heavy smog and pollution for much of the season. Smog affects everyone， and responsibilities to fight pollution fall not only on government and industry， but on the general public as well. Launched by Chinese Designers Salon （CDS） and Interactive Beijing （IB）， Say No to Haze， China’s first smog-themed posters exhibition， welcomed submissions from around the world themed on pollution， aiming to raise more attention from governments and the public and call for greater efforts to tackle air pollution problems. Ultimately， the jury members chose 295 posters from 3，500 submissions and exhibited them in Beijing at the end of last year.

Selected posters generally employed elements like masks， Chinese cultural icons， architecture， lungs and chimneys as well as depictions of the theory of evolution. Transcending reality in favor of a virtual world， masks have been worn by both ancient people and modern people， both animals and plants. And the deconstruction of Chinese character for “haze” also became a major theme. Evolution-themed posters were considered some of the most interesting by many. For instance， one poster featured a man with a giraffe-like neck， postulating that in order to breathe the fresh air， human beings may develop a long neck. Some Chinese myths were even adapted to the theme of addressing smog. Organs like lungs and hearts created astonishing visual effects.

Chen Liang’s Erosion won the first prize for professionals. “Numerous haze particles block everyone’s vision and give the same face to China’s big cities，” remarked Klaus Hesse， a jury member from Germany. “It is hard to accept， but it is reality. I like the concise power conveyed by this poster.” Dots·Haze by Chen Yong and Xie Lu from Nanchang University took the first prize for students. “The work uses a visual chart deftly， making abstract haze vivid for the public，” remarked Xiao Yong from Beijing. “It is pure but powerful and enlightening.” Although winners were happy for the recognition， they would prefer their inspiration did not exist. “Despite possible decreasing sales， businessmen selling masks and air purifiers also hope that the smog problem will be tackled. Likewise， we wish our creativity is inspired by fresh air rather than smog，” explained Chen Xiaojun from Beijing Institute of Technology， winner of excellence award.“I hope this exhibition can convey the message that we， a group engaged in design and creative industry， are focusing on the environment and stepping up our responsibility，” remarked Niu Yili， the curator.“Meanwhile， we call for more people to join in the fight against smog.”