Does music soften the blow? And death?

At Quat'rues, it is not unusual for some of our committed visuals to resonate with current events. However, in these times of fratricidal conflict, against the backdrop of the Cold War and the nuclear threat, our "Haut les mains" ("Hands Up") visual suddenly seems quite outdated. The idea illustrated by this visual is as simplistic as it is universal: war is bad, but fortunately art and music are stronger than violence!
It's easy to think - and to draw - when you're well sheltered, far from any explosion, far from the whistle of bullets.

But over there, in Burma or in Ukraine, in Sudan or in Palestine, in Afghanistan or in Ethiopia, who would be crazy enough to go and brandish a guitar against an AK47 or an Uzi?
Not me, that's for sure.

If it is obvious that this staging would not stand up to the appalling reality on the ground, then why make this visual?

Probably to reassure ourselves, among good people, about our share of humanity.
Because we want to believe that violence doesn't solve anything, even if we hit hard.
Because we tell ourselves that this soldier may not even really want to fight.
Because we know that music can be a powerful weapon, outside the battlefield.
Because we are firmly convinced that war is not good, and that we need symbols and images to put on this idea.

By the time I write these lines, and by the time you read them, children, women and men have fallen under the bullets, all over the world.

This outdated, simplistic, universal visual is a thought for them.