“We want freedom!”

Above: Anne, Letraset on glass. “Selmeya, selmeya.” (Peaceful, peaceful.). This Spring’s introductory typography grupetto engaged in an in-class charrette to produce typographic messages inspired by the Egyptian revolution and the chants heard around the world. Our friend Mona recently sent me these chants in their cell-phone text mode, and the class responded to the limitation of working by hand with gusto. These new messages echo from past experiments, as well as the inspired work of another introductory grupetto.

It is still endlessly fascinating to consider these are truly Arabic messages, specifically from the Egyptian dialect, in Roman forms! Our thanks to Mona, our fearless Egyptian tiger, for sharing this inspiration with us. My thanks to the class for producing such inspired work. E7na shabab el facebook! (“We are the people of Facebook,” a popular chant as the revolution began there.)

Above: Aubree, Letraset on cardboard. “El sha3b wel geish yeed wa7da.” The army and the people, one hand.

Above: Aurelia, Letraset. “Al sha3b yourid eskat el nezam.” The nation wants to bring down the system.

Above: Danielle, hand-cut stencil, reflection photo. Truly inspired. “Ya shaheed nam werta7.” Martyrs, you can rest in peace now.

Above: Derek, hand-made print. “Selmeya, selmeya.” Peaceful, peaceful.

Above: Jenny, newsprint and acrylic. “Ya shaheed nam werta7.” Martyrs, you can rest in peace now.

Above: Josh, hand-lettering and collage. Beautiful. “3ayzeen 7orreya, 3adala egtema3eya.” We want freedom and social justice.

Above: Kate, glitter squares. “Selmeya, selmeya.” Peaceful, peaceful.

Above: Kelsey, Letraset, transfer, Sharpie, on plywood. “E7na shabab el facebook!“ We are the people of Facebook.

Above: Kelsey K., hand-lettering, found materials. “Ya shaheed nam werta7.” Martyrs, you can rest in peace now.

Above: Kim, Letraset, cut stencil, paint. “Mosh ha nemshy, howa yemshy.” We won’t leave, he will leave.

Above: Lottie, hand-cut stamp. “Selmeya, selmeya.” Peaceful, peaceful.

Above: Tim, hand stitched. With his thread supply low, Tim made these tiny letterforms with love and care. A thousand thanks to GRD_2010_Sec_02! You deserve a song.

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Avanti popolo alla riscossa,
bandiera rossa, bandiera rossa!
Avanti popolo alla riscossa,
bandiera rossa trionferá!