#ikwordonderdrukt

“We accept the entire system of advertising images as we accept the climate” J. Berger. In times of populism, polarization and segregation, it is crucial to make your voice heard as a designer. Public spaces are now infested by an abundance of commercial images whose sole purpose is to sell. It is time to change this. The Wildplakzuilen, built to inform, but now plastered with marketing, are the perfect carriers. #ikwordonderdrukt reclaims them to make another voice heard. The images in the public domain do not have to make sense as long as they do not scare or inform the viewer. But it is precisely these topics like social equality, respect for everyone’s rights and freedoms, regardless of skin color, gender or religion, are meaningful and important issues that in reality are hardly reflected in the public space. We live in a democratic society and need sufficient dialogue in the image so that the citizen can discuss the information. Our democracy is threatened by populist administrators who want to impose their opinions on every occasion and ensure even more separation and segregation. I believe that one of the duties of a graphic designer is to take responsibility for the images in the public space that should make a positive contribution to society. The fact that these columns are intended for the expression of speech but are suppressed by commercial messages makes it a perfect medium to inform the public and to stimulate the viewer into thinking critically and to encourage dialogue. One of the most important aspects of the project were the interviews held with the public while pasting and painting. The project went on to live a life on its own when I made a deal with one of the ‘paste boys’ who offered to use my message and paste them on electricity boxes and trash bin’s all over Amsterdam. More than 1000 posters were spread with the message: ‘I really want to impose my opinion on you’.