Menomonie, WI/ Pittsburg, CA/Paris, France--The World's Most Memorable Poster 2000 hung in a special exhibit in the city of Pittsburg's new Civic Center on 65 Civic Avenue from March 24 through April 2, 2000.

The 63 traveling posters from 16 countries, selected by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific & Cultural Organization) in Paris in collaboration with Urban Art International, are described as a "civic invitation to personalize city spaces and bring cultural value, stimulating urban renewal."

Amongst this year's winning entries, ten finalists were from New York, one was from Kansas City, two were from Tucson, Arizona, two from Dallas, Texas, one from Pittsburg, California, and one from Menomonie, Wisconsin, the headquarters of DBD International, Ltd.. David Brier, DBD's Creative Director, himself a native New Yorker, says with a big smile, Menomonie is "the next cultural Mecca of North America."

And what of the piece that won? It is a poster created for the University of Wisconsin-Stout for its Vocational Rehabilitation department and marks the second year in a row that DBD's work has been given this industry recognition. Featuring original art utilizing flat, vibrant colors to distinguish this department from the numerous Voc-Rehab departments in the U.S., the poster displays a lone chair with a thick book laying on it using a strikingly unusual color pallete. This main visual is juxtaposed by a hand coming from outside the poster's boundaries, reaching for the book.

"This was a dynamic way to convey the power of knowledge-its universal appeal being demonstrated by the reaching hand-while allowing the viewer of the poster to determine what the content of the book may be," states Brier, who also illustrated the poster's unique visual statment. The poster was not only recognized by a jury of Urban Art International but earlier this year, it took First Place and Best of Show in the annual Western Wisconsin Ad Club's Excellence in Advertising competition.

Of DBD's entry and the international scope of the competition, Fani Danadlieva Hansen, President of Urban Art International, had this to say:

"Every year, Urban Art International selects the best U.S. posters that attract and motivate with a message that lasts. The jury selects posters to provide broader cultural awareness of global art from an urban perspective.

"David Brier's poster generates this global interest and promotes high quality art that is so important in the life of the urban dweller. Through his poster's vibrant colors, entitled CEC (for Continuing Education Center), David skillfully communicates with the public while educating and nurturing positive public response. His poster will be exhibited in Paris in January 2001, where it will become part of the international 'Most Memorable Poster' competition.

"The winners will be part of the worldwide traveling exhibit. The traveling exhibit is itself a stimulating art display that brings art to each city, making the city a place to cherish and enjoy. These exhibits become the spark that ignites people to encourage the restoration of the environment in which we live, work and play, so that once again, we can walk in beauty. Festivals of art in many cities have started where one celebrates the beauty of color and design."

Posters give the contemporary artist an opportunity to communicate directly with the public, to educate, to inspire, to influence opinion and to enhance the culture with aesthetics. As an important cultural event, the exhibit communicates the quality of global art at the beginning of this millennium.

After Pittsburg, the exhibit will visit Virginia (April 6-16), and then Daly City (April 18-30) before departing to Mexico City, Korea, Japan, China, Iran, Israel, Russia, Austria, France, Belgium and Denmark. The message of the posters will be communicated throughout the world.

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