Lounge
January 7, 2015
Embroidering Dreams of Recovery onto Handkerchiefs
Entrusting Hopes for Reconstruction to a Handkerchief
Support for Reconstruction After the Great East Japan EarthquakeAs part of this initiative, JAGDA (Japan Graphic Designers Association) presented approximately 7,000 handkerchiefs, created for the "Gentle Handkerchief Exhibition" held in 2011, to elementary and middle schools in the disaster-stricken areas.
Text by Winsome Li (OPENERS)
Donated to 44 Elementary and Middle Schools in Iwate, Miyagi, and Fukushima
The "Gentle Handkerchief Exhibition" was held by JAGDA from October 2011 to March of this year. Its concept was: "For every visitor who purchases one handkerchief, an identical one is sent to children in the disaster-stricken areas." Handkerchiefs designed by approximately 600 graphic designers nationwide were exhibited and sold across 14 venues in 12 cities, both domestically and internationally, as well as through an online shop.
Scenes from the "Gentle Handkerchief Exhibition" held at Tokyo Midtown Design Hub
A total of 7,332 handkerchiefs were sold during that period. From May to August of this year, following the conclusion of the "Gentle Handkerchief Exhibition," the same number of handkerchiefs as the total sold were donated to elementary and middle schools in the disaster-stricken areas. The recipients this time included 44 elementary and middle schools in 9 cities and towns across the three prefectures, such as Rikuzentakata City in Iwate Prefecture, Sendai City in Miyagi Prefecture, and Iwaki City in Fukushima Prefecture. The kindness of each visitor who purchased a handkerchief, in consideration of the children in the affected regions, was delivered to them.
JAGDA is one of Asia's largest design organizations. It engages in various activities aimed at improving the communication environment through graphic design, including organizing exhibitions and seminars, and promoting regional development and international exchange through design. JAGDA plans to continue its support for reconstruction in the Tohoku region, with a second "Gentle Handkerchief Exhibition" scheduled for January of next year.
JAGDA Secretariat
Tel. 03-5770-7509
http://www.jagda.org