artists share messages of hope: with the population of italy, and many other parts of the world, following lockdown and social-distancing orders as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, designboom — whose headquarters is in milan — asked artist olafur eliasson to share a message of hope with our readers. responding to the current situation, eliasson drew an illustration dedicated to italian friends and family, as well as the wider community. centered around an image of the world adorned with the word ‘BOOM’, the artist encourages us to use this time for creativity, caring, and contentedness.

 

in northern italy, perhaps the part of the world worst effected by the pandemic, citizens have already been in lockdown conditions for three weeks. with many people understandably feeling isolated, lonely, and desperate for help, olafur eliasson encourages us to come together to support one another through art and design. the illustration features hearts and stars as symbols of positivity and hope, as well as the words ‘past’ and ‘future’ surrounding a globe. eliasson also shared a selfie of him at home with the drawing, and a timelapse video of him making it.

olafur eliasson
a message of hope, thanks to olafur eliasson

olafur eliasson
eliasson shares a selfie with his drawing