Zoran Kardula is one of those activists, otherwise a graphic designer, who is always loud when it comes to social and political injustices in which individuals, communities, but also the entire political and social undertakings in the country suffer. And he expresses loudness, active citizen participation in the contribution for things to be better, nicer, where the individual, but also the community, will feel dignified, free, happy, through illustrations in a creative manner.
We talk with Kardula about how much art can contribute in promotion of green values, social justice and the fight against nationalism.
Green CIVIL: How much can art contribute in promotion of green values?
Kardula: First let me mention that green values, respect for human dignity and human rights, freedom, democracy, equality, rule of law, social and environmental justice, transformation of society to the benefit of all, economic, social and environmental welfare, fostering diversity of the natural world… are values for which everyone should fight.
For me as a graphic designer, it’s normal for me to use the craftsmanship I have for promoting the above-mentioned values. The message we want to send across always reaches easier through graphics and illustration. I try to promote these values through illustrations, because people read texts less. The rhythm of life, the everyday hustle leaves room for the illustration to convey the message without much text, and yet to leave room for thinking and a discussion. That’s why I urge all artists, designers, musicians… to be louder and to promote these values, as these values are the basis for a healthy society.
Green CIVIL: What is needed to achieve social justice? Is visualization of social justice loud enough to make some changes?
Kardula: Social justice for me is directly related to the functioning of the rule of law. Without the rule of law, there can be no social justice. We are far from a society where there is social justice, but over the past years there have been visible shifts towards the better. There is still much work to be done. It is necessary for all those who are socially oppressed to raise their voice, first for them to be loud so that their problem can be heard, for their voice to be heard, and thus be helped. The message for injustice might be easier to get across with visualization, but for all that to have an effect, the citizen needs to be loud, to fight for the rights they legally have, but unfortunately, often their realization is lacking. Without a joint fight, the desired goal will not be achieved.
Green CIVIL: How much can art contribute in the fight against nationalism?
Kardula: In my opinion, very much. Nationalism is increasingly more gaining momentum around the world, and unfortunately, we are no exception. We are witnessing increasingly more intolerance along ethnic lines, some old rhetoric well-known from the time of fascism is returning, and figures from history who supported fascism are being promoted. Here there is no compromise and it must be cut at the root. We live in a multi-ethnic state and such nationalist rhetoric must be most severely punished because the damage can be fatal. Art and artists must not be just silent observers of such deviant events in society, they must raise their voice. They need to be part of the progressiveness, part of the society that they will lead forward and will create a society that will be equally good for everyone, without intolerance on any grounds.
B. Jordanovska
Translation: N. Cvetkovska
The interview is part of the project “The Greens are Coming” that CIVIL is implementing in cooperation with the Heinrich Bǒll Foundation.
