art in the time of disaster.

I have been learning about a lot of things in last ten days. I have been learning a lot about what has happened in Japan. I have learned how to watch TV news on my iPod, how to get my calls go through to my parents without busy signal (sometimes I have to call like 10 times), or collect enough information from various sources to assess what is right, what is wrong and what is just pure lie.

But more importantly, I have been learning a lot about responsibility of art and being an artist.  
This is a rare moment when I look at the world and the world of art and design from a victim's point of view.
Well, I am technically not a victim. My family and friends are doing OK, although going though some tough times and inconveniences. I don't even know a single person in the area directly hit by this disaster.
Yet, the world outside Japan sees "Japan as the victim" and treat us, Japanese people abroad, as victims, and therefore, for the first time (and hopefully the last time) I am seeing the world from a completely different point of view.

I contribute illustrations to newspapers and news magazines. I do illustrate tough topic like ongoing war. But I have never had a chance to stand on  the point of the view of what has getting illustrated.


And then I got this link to Fast Company blog post by  John Pavlus. He captured my unorganized thoughts for the last ten days into very easy to read article which makes you think, regardless of you agree with him or not.
I wanted to share this with you, especially that those who are reading this are mainly people in the creative field.

http://www.fastcodesign.com//1663419/...

I personally do not mind the specific poster in question here. At the same time, I cannot agree more with Mr. Pavlus' view toward design (in general) during the time of disaster, and responsibility of the artists who create them.

Aren't some of the designs popping up on my and your facebook links, just too quick, too easy, and too smart, and sometimes feel like each designer is rushing to create the most clever image? Doesn't it sometimes feel like it is a competition of a sort? Did they even have enough time to research the subject matter, do they know about the specific areas in Japan and culture, or did they think through of what was the message in the images  before creating the images in rush?

If it it was too long to read my mumbling, you can skip and just read here:
During the time of disaster, those who are affected need to see sympathy, hope and encouragement more than anything.
They last thing they want to see another image of disaster, like a blood spilling flag.
This is something I have learnd that wanted to share with you today.

Thank you very much for those who read all the way down to here.