Empowering people through Urban Design
Bringing Art and Inspiring Messages to Public Places
Fani Danadjieva Hansen's holistic activities and passion for creating beautiful and livable urban spaces gave birth to Urban Art International, which she founded in 1985. She organizes the annual international competition and exhibit 'The World's Most Memorable Poster'. The exhibits bring the best of poster art and strong evocative global messages to thousands of people around the world.
In collaboration with UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) and in partnership with Academie National des Arts de la Rue (ANAR) Fani organizes the international exhibit and competition. Annually each country sends its best locally juried posters to Paris to compete in this international competition. Fani is the only architect and the only American member of the permanent international jury in Paris that selects the World's Most Memorable Posters for the world's traveling exhibit. The winning artist receives the Grand Prix Savignac, the Oscar for Poster Art.
The international exhibit of 70 posters travels the world for one year, visiting Europe, Central and South America, Asia and the U.S.
At the exhibition's stop in San Francisco in April 2001, Mayor Willie Brown commended Fani's contribution to bringing 'life to inner cities, highlighting global concerns such as peace, war, drugs, race relations and other social issues,' and declared April 10, 2001 as 'World's Most Memorable Poster Day' in San Francisco. The exhibit in November 2001 in New York, just few blocks from ground Zero, highlighted global issues of war and peace, drugs, race relations and social concerns.
In many cities including Sacramento, Daly City, and Pittsburg the exhibition serves as the centerpiece for community art festivals and often ignites a spark to incorporate art into people's every day lives through urban restoration and beautification. Festivals of art have started in many cities throughout the world where one celebrates the beauty of color and design and the role of art in the life of the urban dweller.
The result is a success for the economic growth of the area, for bringing reinvestment into cities, and for the role of art and education around the world.
'Thank you, Fani, for your brilliant participation in the judging and for your selection of the winning artist and poster this year. I am very happy that the Oscar winner is one of yours. Allow me on behalf of all members of our committee to express my gratitude to your collaboration…and if it was a success, we owe it to your perseverance and good choice. Through your effort, the graphic creation of a whole country was revealed and it was a real pleasure for the visitors, as it was for me, to discover the high quality of your creative artists. Once again, bravo for your exhibits in United States, efficiency and generosity.'
Andre Parinaud, General Commissioner for Programs, United Nations Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Paris, France