Kickstarter: Clear Skies Playing Cards (printed in Ukraine, in support of Ukraine)https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/newdawndecks/clear-skies-playing-cards-deck-0Premium poker-sized playing cards. A deck made in Ukraine, to help Ukraine.Cost: US$25 per deck (includes free worldwide shipping)
Current funding level: over 200% funded
Project ends: May 6, 2022
After costs of production and distribution, profits will be put at the service of Ukrainian institutions to help their citizens and the reconstruction of their lives. Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, and the consequences for the people and country of Ukraine have been tremendous. Many innocent people have suffered terribly, with thousands of lives lost and millions fleeing. Many buildings have been destroyed. The needs of the Ukrainian people are many, and its reconstruction will take a long time.
A small team is creating this deck to pay homage to all those who seek peace, and in their support. This project is the combined effort of Max Playing Cards (planning, promotion, logistics), Old Gravity (Ritu Bhattacharya, a designer), and Noir Arts (NPCC, a printer in west Ukraine). They describe this deck as "
the fruit of the hope of the desperate, the consolation of those oppressed, the love of those who live in hatred? it is a tribute to the ideals of the Ukrainian people who defend peace with brave hearts, justice and brotherhood."
The tuck case is described as "
a modern design, with an eye on the future, a future of freedom adorned with the symbols and colors of the Ukrainian country. It features the colours of the Ukrainian flag, and will be made with metallic blue and yellow foils instead of inks, "
on a blue paper with a clear sky in which the stars are the symbol of hope."
The front of the tuck box features the Ukraine's national flower, "
the sunflower, now a symbol of resistance, frames his emblem, the trident, a symbol of freedom. " The back is "
a hymn to peace, with a dove taking flight but being destroyed by the conflict. However, two tree-shaped hands reach out to catch the pieces and rebuild it." The sides have the following text emblazoned on them: "
truth leads to love" and "
unity leads to freedom."
As for the cards themselves, here's how the creators describe the direction of the artwork:
"
The entire deck has been completely customized, and each card is a canvas that brims with emotion. Old Gravity has put her purest sentiments in some designs made of hope, with watercolors that mix water with tears for those who suffer. They show how the Ukrainian colors and nationalist emblems and ideals stand firm, unshakable, and united, ready for the constant struggle for peace, amidst the massive explosions, indiscriminate destruction, and panic of the war."
The card backs represent an allegory of the country of Ukraine, which is represented by a golden tree:
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partially burned, still shining under the cosmic light coming from the universe. It is a destroyed country with a light and an inner strength that radiates hope."
The four suits all were inspired and expresses a unique positive value that is important to remember in a time of conflict:
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The freedom of clubs, the unity of diamonds, the truth of spades, and the love of hearts. These cards are full of best wishes for a people fighting for their freedom."
Noir Arts (NPCC) is a respected printing company located in the western part of Ukraine, and known for producing fine art playing cards. They were chosen as the printer for exactly this reason:
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There could not be another printer in the world more suitable for this project, working from pressure, uncertainty, and pain, but strongly and decisively carrying out this deck not only as another job but as a symbol of resistance and hope. "
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They will use their best options for the deck, with a high quality 310gsm German paper and premium linen finish on the cards, dark blue paper stock, and dual-foiling (shades of gold, and blue) on the tuck case."
Besides the regular FREEDOM deck, the creators are also producing an ultra-limited UNITY deck. This will have similar styled artwork in a slightly different colour scheme, and a different tuck case with copper and silver foils on white stock.
It's described as follows:
"
The UNITY edition is a tribute to the Ukrainian people in their battle for democracy and sovereignty. The orange color, typical of the civil revolution that united the people against political corruption, is now the standard of this edition that represents the spirit of struggle and the desire for freedom in the face of war crimes that civilians are suffering by an army that is sowing, with their hatred, the destruction of a country through the slaughter of its innocents. "
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This project has been designed exclusively with the Ukrainian people in mind and the restoration of their lives after this terrible invasion." Kickstarter can't be used for humanitarian causes, so the creators have found somewhat of a workaround: money raised will be cover the costs of production and distribution, and because it uses a printer in Ukraine, it will be helping the Ukrainian economy. Any further profits remaining after production and distribution "
will be put at the service of Ukrainian institutions to help their citizens and the reconstruction of their lives."
I'll conclude with another poignant quote from the project page:
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The unjustified suffering and bloodshed shake those who see in Ukraine a beautiful and peaceful country, thrown into this merciless war. However, the strength, determination, and resilience of the Ukrainian people illuminate with hope the future of the country and its necessary reconstruction." This project is certainly a fine example of that strength and hope.
Link: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/newdawndecks/clear-skies-playing-cards-deck-0
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