September 21, 2001
University
Park, Pa. — A new message of peace is circulating around New
York City - on t-shirts, postcards and posters - and it’s the product of
a few motivated Penn State students who simply wanted to make a difference.
Graphic design majors Mark Elias, Tom Klimek and Brian McCall – all fifth year seniors - joined the nation in shock and disgust in the wake of last week’s terrorist attacks. Their gut reactions? Do something and do it quickly.
“We’re not doctors so we couldn’t help out that way,” Klimek said. “Since we’re designers, we thought we’d try to inspire people through our talent.”
When they got together last Tuesday evening, a new image was born. Their design is a replication of the Manhattan skyline. Where the river runs, flows red and white stripes; and where the twin towers once stood are two fingers, forming a peace sign. The wording is plain and simple - We Will Resurrect Peace.
“Eventually the towers will be replaced with peace,” McCall said. “At least, over a period of time.”
The rest of the week was a whirlwind experience for the students. Working with printers, purchasing t-shirts and contacting friends and acquaintances in New York City, they developed a mission. They traveled from State College to a friend’s house in Brooklyn on Sunday. Monday morning, they took to the streets of Manhattan - armed with bags full of t-shirts, postcards, and posters bearing their new design. They distributed the items, all produced out of the kindness of their hearts – and wallets - free of charge. “People were happy they didn’t have to pay for them,” Elias said.
The students did admit to some concern about possible responses to their peaceful message. “Every once-in-a-while you hear people say ‘bomb them’ but really, our message was very well received,” McCall said. A local radio station even grabbed them off the street for an interview, to discuss their goals.
After a day of passing out their items at vigils and on the streets, the three were utterly exhausted. But the effort was worth it, as they discovered their design hanging in places that they didn’t put it.
“It’s not about us,” said McCall of their creation. “We want to spread the image as far as we can. The farther the image spreads, the farther our message of peace spreads.”
They also are working on setting up a web site at
http://www.nine-eleven.org, where anyone can go to view a running tally of thank you messages and contacts, and even order their items. The three vowed to mail everything at cost, as they do not want to make money off of their design.
Additionally, the students hope to find sponsorship in State College so that they might mass-produce their design for distribution at the upcoming parade and rally.
**aek**
Contact: Allison Kessler, Department of Public Information at (814) 865-7517 or akessler@psu.edu
