The Prelude Exhibition of The First Shanghai Graphic Design Biennale – TopoPoster: International Poster Design Exhibition, after six months (June – December, 2025) of planning and preparation, was successfully held from December 13 to December 22, 2025. As one of the larger-scale exhibitions in recent years featuring an international selection of works in China, it showcased over 300 representative poster designs from 153 influential contemporary designers and studios active in the forefront of the field across 28 countries.

koLEKtive (introduction to potato anatomy)

These posters were created for humanitarian exhibitions and bazaars organized at the Faculty of Applied Arts in Belgrade. The events emerged during a period of nationwide strikes, university blockades, and eight months of protests, when education workers were left without income in their conflict with the state. The posters served not only as visual communication, but also as a gesture of solidarity, support, and collective resilience.

The name “koLEKtiv” was conceived as a humorous response to the serious situation in society and at universities in Serbia. In English, “koLEKtiv” combines “Collective” and “LEK” (meaning “CURE” in Serbian).

“koLEKtiv - an introduction to the anatomy of a potato” is part of a series of posters, and alludes to a statement by Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, who said that if professors continue to strike, they will be paid in potatoes. In the Serbian language, potatoes also carry layered and sometimes obscene meanings, adding another dimension to the message.

Stefan Ilic

typographicposters.com/stefan-ilic