Monday, April 7, 2008

Designs for Peace - An Anniversary

Logo of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND),
designed by Gerald Holtom in 1958, which became a widespread peace symbol.

ALDERMASTON, UK.-The 50th anniversary of the debut of the peace logo and the first Aldermaston march was marked by the family of designer Gerald Holtom by traveling to Aldermaston. Gerald Holtom died in 1985. He designed the logo in 1958 for a march and based it on the fallen arms of a man in despair, while the semaphore signals for “N” and “D” combine within the circle of life. The symbol was designed for the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament.

Darius and Rebecca Holtom, his son and daughter, travelled from Montpellier in France to join the rally.

Darius Holtom, aged 41, said: “It’s hard to believe it has taken off and has dispersed miraculously all around the world. I think it’s amazing, and it’s great there’s at least a symbol that people can identify with which represents basic humanity, freedom and the environment and ecology.

He added: “My father didn’t talk much about it. It was something he did quite a few years before, and he was already onto other projects, but he was supportive of environmental issues.”

Pat Arrowsmith was on the committee of four to choose the logo said: “It’s rather annoying when it’s taken up for things which are sometimes too remote. I’m happy for it to be an anti-war symbol without it necessarily being anti-nuclear weapons.”

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