Mr P, the brand mascot of Propaganda - a Thai novelty item manufacturer - has hit the Pakistani market. After a successful exhibit in Lahore, Saad A Kureshi and Ifran Chaudhry of Architects Inc, brought Propaganda to Islamabad to test the market before bringing the brand to Pakistan.
Unlike the conventional mundane gift shops, Propaganda initiates wit, talent and brings humour to everyday items such as ashtrays, coffee mugs, wine openers and bookmarks.
“People do not pay attention to the items that form a bridge between them and necessities,” said Kureshi. “We consume water but we forget the vessel required to transfer water into our body, the glass. Propaganda reminds us of ordinary items that we usually forget,” he said. Mr P, the chief propagandist, represents the common man deceptively simple and unpretentious in form; he stands naked and alone in a complicated world.
He wordlessly tells us that beneath the thin veneer of civilization that seems to define us, we are still individuals. Mr P’s message is delivered with style, subtle wit, and self-effacing humour.
“We are in desperate need for good quality products and Propaganda provides a vast range of items that are fun and worth a laugh,” says Minal Malik, Fashion Editor Paper Magazine. “I have bought and gifted the ‘I Love Cancer’ ashtrays to a lot of my friends in hopes that they will quit smoking one day.”
As life becomes stressful and hectic it is important that some humour is incorporated into our lives. These everyday objects are not only fashionable but also add a little something to mundane activities. With stand-alone stores only in Thailand, Propaganda products are distributed in 30 countries worldwide, with Pakistan being the 31st. The red carpet event held here at L’atelier not only saw the socialites of Islamabad but known personalities such as Rezz Ali Shah and stylist Jenny.
When asked what made Mr P worthy of the red carpet, Ifran Chaudhry said, “Mr P is for people who walk the red carpet and it’s for those who lay the red carpet.” With items available for everyone, propaganda creates hype and controversy to help us notice things that usually go unobserved.
For some bold, colourful and provocative humour that captures the movement of life, Propaganda is worth a visit and Mr P is definitely worth housing. The exhibition will continue at L’atelier till April 12.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 12th, 2011.
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