2013 Winners & Shortlists

The Brief

Children with special needs find it difficult to communicate like the way we do. The children with special needs at the Al Manzil had expressed themselves through beautiful works of art. With every piece the child was trying to say something in order to reach out to the world. Now if only the world could reach out at them in return, a CONVERSATION would get underway. What these children needed was an audience to know how they think, feel, and then respond back.

Creative Execution

We needed an interesting way to take these messages to the people while focusing on the children's abilities rather than their disabilities. Even more important was that we needed a platform that could continue forever rather than creating a one-off event theme. Conversations facilitated a dialogue between these children and the world, thus bringing the worlds together.

Describe the creative solution to the brief/objective.

Children with special needs live in a world that is muted to the one we live in. To bridge this gap, ‘CONVERSATIONS’ was born - an exhibition that enabled the children to establish a dialogue with the world , while giving the world an opportunity to peep into theirs. Conversations came to life through a simple device placed next to each painting. People could listen to what the child had to say and then record their response for the child to hear, thus completing the conversation. Conversation cards placed next to each painting enabled people to write their personal messages.

Results

The event garnered interest not just within art circles but also across the media, driving organizations to come forward in support. In the end all the paintings were sold, raising over 200,000 dirhams. But the real reward went to the children who heard those invaluable words of encouragement. Conversations is now a permanent platform that will showcase the artistic talents of these children, making them feel EXCEPTIONAL rather than an exception.