Name: Street art with a message of hope and peace
Uploaded: 2015-07-23T14:58:17Z
Duration: 5 min 29 s
Description: What does this gorgeous street art say? It's Arabic poetry, inspired by bold graffiti and placed where a message of hope and peace can do the most good. In this quietly passionate talk, artist and TED Fellow eL Seed describes his ambition: to create art so beautiful it needs no translation.

eL Seed: Street art with a message of hope and peace

Street art with a message of hope and peace

What does this gorgeous street art say? It's Arabic poetry, inspired by bold graffiti and placed where a message of hope and peace can do the most good. In this quietly passionate talk, artist and TED Fellow eL Seed describes his ambition: to create art so beautiful it needs no translation.

Transforming a grey 57-meter minaret in Tunisia with Quranic calligraffiti, a single mural inspired global attention and local pride. The art united a community, sparked international media coverage, and showed that beauty and meaning can cross linguistic barriers. Messages painted in poetic Arabic, from Rio’s rooftops to Parisian streets, invite viewers to connect emotionally—even if they can’t read the words. The artist’s work challenges stereotypes and proves that art’s power often comes before understanding its literal translation.