Do We Need a New Peace Logo? A Museum in Frankfurt Thinks So

Coinciding with an upcoming show, the Schirn Kunsthalle has launched a contest to redesign the peace sign.

Coinciding with its upcoming group exhibition “PEACE,” which opens on July 1, the Schirn Kunsthalle in Frankfurt has launched an open call for a new peace logo.

The competition, which closes on May 8, is open to everyone and submissions can take the form of an image, logo, or a mix of the two.

“This summer, with our PEACE exhibition, the Schirn sets out to explore how peace actually works, a question that is as compelling as ever today,” said Philipp Demandt, director of the museum.

“Quite apart from this, we feel it is high time for a new peace logo. A logo for today that reflects our current notion of peace,” he added.

Could the winning design really replace the iconic peace sign? Designed in the 1950s, the popular symbol originated from the British campaign for nuclear disarmament, and was quickly adopted by anti-war and counterculture activists in the US and around the world.

Starting the peace sign “revolution” on a smaller scale, the winning entry—which will be determined by an independent jury of five—will be used in media advertising for the exhibition at Schirn, and the lucky designer will receive a €1,000 cash prize.

In addition, the top five logos will be featured in SCHIRN Magazine, while the ten finalists will be posted on the museum’s website, as part of an online competition for the “Audience Prize” winner.

Curator of the exhibition, Matthias Ulrich. Photo by Gaby Gerster. ©Schirn Kunsthalle Frankfurt, 2015.

Curator of the exhibition, Matthias Ulrich. Photo by Gaby Gerster. ©Schirn Kunsthalle Frankfurt, 2015.

The show, curated by Matthias Ulrich, takes a humanist perspective on peace, focusing on the interaction and communication around human co-existence through language, culture, and nature.

Artists featured in the show include Pia Camil, Jan de Cock, Minerva Cuevas, Ed Fornieles, Michel Houellebecq, Surasi Kusolwong, Isabel Lewis, Lee Mingwei, Katja Novitskova, Heather Phillipson, Agnieszka Polska, Timur Si-Qin, and Ulay.

Katja Novitskova, Pattern of Activation (planetary bonds) (2015). Photo ©Katja Novitskova.

Katja Novitskova, Pattern of Activation (planetary bonds) (2015). Photo ©Katja Novitskova.

“PEACE” will be on view at the Schirn Kunsthalle, Frankfurt, from July 1- September 24, 2017.


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