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“e.qual” Poster

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About / Biographic Information:

Bülent Erkmen (born 1947) is a Turkish graphic designer based in Istanbul who has been active since 1972. His philosophy treats graphic design as a "spatial construction" or a structure to be built, rather than simple ornamentation. Erkmen's work is celebrated for its intellectual rigor and its ability to challenge standard perceptions, often using design to address complex political and social themes.

 

Description:

This poster features the word "e.qual" followed by its dictionary definition. A series of heavy, horizontal red bars are printed directly over the text, effectively "crossing out" or redacting the definitions of equality. The design was created for the "Sharing Jerusalem: Two Capitals for Two States" project, a cultural and political initiative that explored the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The visual redaction serves as a powerful metaphor for the ways in which equality is often obstructed or denied in political contexts.

Poster for the cultural and political project "Sharing Jerusalem: Two Capitals for Two States," 1998
Poster for the cultural and political project "Sharing Jerusalem: Two Capitals for Two States," 1998