L’Affichiste is blessed with a variety of friends who work in the arts – graphic, design, performing – who are uniformly articulate, intellectual and engaging. Our friend Fareed is a perfect example of a modern Renaissance man: fluent in English, French, Farsi and conversant in Italian AND Mandarin (yes, really!). he is also the project manager at Icograda, the International Council of Graphic Design Associations, a cultural affiliate of UNESCO, no less. He is incredibly well-informed and well-rounded, and this month, he answered the posterromance questionnaire for us with the flair and aplomb for which he is known. Without further ado, we present

The Poster Romance Questionnaire (with apologies to Proust and Vanity Fair):

 1. Where is it that you best express your creativity – the boardroom, the classroom, the bedroom or the kitchen.

Absolutely everywhere. Creativity is such a precious thing. When it strikes, it has to be embraced.

2. An alien arrives at your doorstep. In a limited amount of time, you would like to introduce him to our culture and way of life. Which three places would you take him to and why?

I would take him to Nazaré in the north western coast of Portugal. Where the ocean, sky and earth meet. And where monstrous cliffs pierce the sky. The ocean represents so many beginnings. Land gives birth to culture. And water connects us all.

I would take him to Manhattan. Which is probably the world’s most famous urban jungle. To show him that even concrete blocks can give birth to some of the richest cultural experiences this world has to offer.

I would take him to the long-houses in Sarawak, Malaysia. Where the Iban tribes, known for their tattoo art, who once wore these tattoos proudly, now hide them in fear of being perceived as savages.

 3. How would you describe your present state of mind?

Transitioning. Like a snake. Getting ready to shed my skin.

 4. Six words that best describe you?

Fearless, composed, energetic, leader, student, teacher.

5. Your new extra-terrestrial buddy asks for a definition of ‘happiness’ (a concept which does not exist on his planet). What would your definition be?

Happiness is a state of being. It is not a prize or a destination. Happiness is like fitness. You work at it every day. The happier you become, the easier it will be to maintain it. It lives in moments, experiences, learnings, accomplishments, thoughts..

6.If you were going to be confined to a space with four blank walls for a period of time, which kind of art work would you like to bring with you.

I would leave the walls blank and just bring my music.

 7. The alien wins 10$ million in the lottery and asks for your advices on what to do with it. What would you suggest?

Use the money to travel the world. Drink. Eat. Learn. Absorb. Connect.

 8. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

Absolutely nothing.

 9. What would you consider to be your greatest achievement?

Having gained the love of my amazing friends. That is my greatest accomplishment.

10. Before returning to his planet – having decided that Earth was no place for a sane extra-terrestrial – the alien asks one final question: How do you find peace on a place like earth?

Accept the reality of humanity and this world. Strive for greatness. Accept the results, whatever they may be. And celebrate the big and small successes along the way.