At the Imperial Forums, one of the capital’s most symbolic locations, thousands of people transformed an enormous white sheet into an extraordinary collective artwork composed of words, drawings, colours, reflections and hopes. The initiative, entitled “Call to the Arts – Let’s Leave a Mark Against War”, was organised by EMERGENCY as part of its R1PUD1A campaign. It was an event that restored art to its most authentic role: a space for participation, dialogue and awareness.
The inspiration behind the parade came from ivan, an artist who has long worked in public spaces, turning creativity into a shared experience. A familiar figure within the Superstudio world, ivan was recognised by the open-minded via Tortona hub long before others dismissed him as merely a “graffiti artist”. Superstudio had already perceived his vision, his ability to interpret the present and transform art into connection, encounter and collective storytelling. Most recently, during Milan Design Week, ivan returned once again to Superstudio Più to create, inspire and decorate, bringing his distinctive touch to illustrated façades and specially designed rooftop installations.
Tireless as ever, ivan then travelled to Rome for a project whose greatest achievement lay not in the finished artwork itself, but in the process of its creation. By engaging children, families, artists and citizens without distinction, the initiative demonstrated the power of collective participation. In a society increasingly marked by individualism and polarisation, the sight of hundreds of people sharing a creative space to affirm their rejection of war carried a significance that extended far beyond the artistic gesture.
That immense white canvas became a metaphor for a shared responsibility: filling the void left by politics, indifference and resignation with participation and awareness. From the devastation of Gaza to the often-overlooked conflicts in Sudan, from Ukraine to Afghanistan, the message that emerged in the heart of Rome was unequivocal: peace is not an abstract concept but a daily choice that concerns us all. And perhaps that is why, on an early summer’s day, a mark drawn with a felt-tip pen carried greater weight than many words ever could.