An exhibition on The Green features international artists’ interpretations of tolerance and social acceptance

Members of the campus community walking through campus this month may want to give themselves extra time to explore Tolerance on the Green, a unique art installation on view through November 30, 2024.

The project features posters applied directly to the pavement in front of Gore Hall. Created by international artists, the works range from colorful abstract designs to austere portraits, each depicting the importance of inclusion and respect. Watch this video for an aerial perspective.

“This initiative invites students, faculty and the surrounding community to come together and engage with powerful visual messages that speak to the essence of tolerance, all within the comforting and familiar space of the university’s Green,” said Blažo Kovačeviċ, associate professor of art and design, and the show’s curator and a participating artist.

“The project’s presence on campus reflects the university’s deep commitment to nurturing social awareness and understanding, creating a more compassionate community for everyone.”

Presented by The Tolerance Project, Tolerance on the Green has brought a message of social acceptance to thousands of viewers in 48 countries. While more than 230 designers have been featured worldwide, each iteration of The Tolerance Project includes posters by local artists whose only direction is to illustrate the word “tolerance.”

The diverse perspectives presented invite viewers to broaden their perspectives on cultural viewpoints and encourage self-reflection.

Bringing projects like this to campus offers important lessons to students in the Department of Art and Design, as well as the community.

Department Chair Natalija Mijatović explained that the project highlights design as a tool for communication and activism.

“The Tolerance Project exhibition serves as an excellent opportunity for students to witness firsthand how their design skills one day can be utilized to create meaningful, impactful work that addresses vital social issues, and it encourages students to engage in critical thinking about their future roles as designers,” she said.

On November 16, 2024, International Tolerance Day, project founder, artist, designer and activist Mirko Ilić, will conduct a walking tour of the exhibition beginning near Gore Hall. 

This exhibition is sponsored by The Tolerance Project and Mirko Ilić Corp., brought to you by the Visiting Speaker Committee of the Department of Art and Design, and generously supported by the Margaret P. Allen Endowed Lectureship Fund.