Concept Note:
In 2021, the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan, twenty years after their ouster by U.S. troops. This captured global attention. Just as journalists provide commentary on significant events, brands must also engage with current affairs to maintain relevance and foster ongoing connections with their audience on social media and other engagement platforms. The creatives were shared with this purpose in mind, aiming to spark meaningful dialogue and sustain engagement with the community.
Creative 1:
Creative/Design Concept Note:
Overview: The 2021 events unfolding in Kabul, particularly the chaotic scenes at the airport and the tragic incident of people falling from aircraft, have deeply impacted the global community. This design concept seeks to encapsulate the desperation and helplessness experienced by the people of Kabul during those tumultuous times.
Visual Representation: The central visual of the design portrays the silhouette of Kabul, the capital city, and 3 people falling off the aircraft. Within the dard clouds, figures of people are depicted falling, representing the harrowing images witnessed at Kabul Airport. The scattered figures evoke a sense of chaos and despair, symbolizing the loss of hope and the dire circumstances faced by the people.
Symbolism: The falling figures represent not only the physical peril faced by those attempting to flee but also the metaphorical fall of Kabul itself, under the control of the Taliban regime. The imagery of people seeking help hands below emphasizes the desperate plea for assistance and the overwhelming sense of vulnerability felt by the people of Kabul.
Message: Through this design, we aim to shed light on the human tragedy unfolding in Kabul and provoke reflection on the consequences of political instability and conflict. It serves as a poignant reminder of the profound impact of geopolitical events on innocent lives and the urgent need for international support and intervention.
Impact: By visually capturing the emotional weight of the situation in Kabul, this design seeks to elicit empathy and awareness among viewers. It aims to prompt dialogue and action to address the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Afghanistan and provide support to those affected by the turmoil.
Conclusion: In times of crisis, art has the power to convey complex emotions and catalyze meaningful discourse. This design strives to amplify the voices of the people of Kabul and underscore the urgency of addressing their plight.
Creative 2:
Creative/Design Concept Note:
Overview: The events of 2021 in Kabul, marked by the return of the Taliban to power after two decades, have reignited concerns about a return to the oppressive regime of the 1990s. Memories of that era, characterized by the Taliban's brutal suppression of basic rights and egregious violations of women's rights, loom large in the minds of many. The question that struggled everyone was whether 2021 will witness a repeat of history, with hard-won advancements being eroded and progress reversed. Despite the passage of two decades, the specter of gun violence and terrorism continues to cast a shadow over the region, prompting apprehension about the future trajectory of Afghanistan and its people.
Visual Representation: The central visual of the design shows 2 prominent years in the history of Afghanistan. On Sept. 27, 1996, in Afghanistan, the Taliban, a band of former seminary students, drove the government of President Burhanuddin Rabbani out of Kabul, captured the capital and executed former leader Najibullah. On Aug. 15, 2021, The Taliban marched into Kabul as internationally backed President Ashraf Ghani flees the country, post U.S. and NATO forces withdrew from the country. Both the dates holds the same fate for people in the history of Afghanistan, as also symbolised by the image of Gun, shadowing in 2021.
Symbolism: The recurring imagery of guns serves as a stark reminder of the enduring cycle of oppression and powerlessness that has plagued Afghanistan. The parallels between the events of 1996 and those of 2021 are striking, with the same oppressive ideologies and barbaric behaviors resurfacing to haunt the populace once again. The sense of despair is palpable as the Afghan people find themselves trapped in a seemingly endless cycle of violence and repression, with little hope for meaningful change.
Message: Through this design, we aim to show that the persistence of these oppressive forces, unchanged despite the passage of time, underscores the urgent need for concerted efforts to break free from this cycle and secure a brighter future for Afghanistan and its people. With time definitely comes resistance, will people again summon to Taliban and lose their hard-earned identity with reformations of 2 decades? That question mark after "Qubool Hai?" alludes to that.
Impact: Through visual representation of the historical recurrence in Kabul, this design endeavors to evoke empathy and raise awareness among viewers. By highlighting the cyclical nature of events, it prompts dialogue and action to confront the unfolding humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. The goal is to prevent the erosion of hard-won advancements and ensure that the people of Afghanistan do not suffer the loss of progress yet again. It clearly evokes emotion of 'History Should'nt Repeat Itself' as it hold no good for anyone.
Conclusion: In times of crisis, art has the power to convey complex emotions and catalyze meaningful discourse. This design strives to amplify the voices of the people of Kabul and underscore the urgency of addressing their plight.
