CLEAR SKIES RESISTANCE Playing Cards. A deck that resists more than a year after the invasion
In April 2022, three great passionate about playing cards, Old Gravity, Noir Arts and Max Playing Cards, teamed up to create the Clear Skies project, to pay tribute to the Ukrainian people, victims of an unfair and disproportionate invasion by the Russian army. More than one year later, governments around the world have not been able to definitively help end this conflict and the struggle is still alive and death continues to strike those who want to live in peace in their own country. For this reason, Noir Arts has decided to keep the flame of hope alive with a new edition: CLEAR SKIES RESISTANCE.
When the world begins to get used to a conflict that seems increasingly distant, there are voices that go on shouting to defend their lives and that of their families. This deck represents that constant struggle, that way of surviving and overcoming adversity every day, a fight for freedom against suffering and destruction that, after more than a year, has not been able to overcome the determination, courage and resistance of the Ukrainian people.
Clear Skies Resistance uses the same designs as the original Freedom and Unity editions, with a combination of black and red, the colors of the Ukrainian resistance flag. The illustrations by Ritu Bhattacharya (Old Gravity) depict hope with watercolors that mix water with tears for those who suffer. A fight to achieve peace in the midst of massive explosions, indiscriminate destruction and the panic of war.
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. Each of the suits is inspired and expresses a positive value. The freedom of clubs, the unity of diamonds, the love of hearts and the truth of spades. These cards are full of best wishes for a people fighting for their freedom.
The golden tree of hope now decorates the back with the red and black of struggle and resilience. The entire deck has been completely customized, and each card is a canvas that brims with emotion.
Bivas Bhattacharjee (Old Gravity) has created a case with a modern design, with an eye to the future, a future of freedom adorned with the symbology of the Ukrainian country. On the front, his national flower, the sunflower, now a symbol of resistance, frames his emblem, the trident, a symbol of freedom. The back is a song to peace, with a dove that takes flight but is being destroyed by the conflict. However, two tree-shaped hands reach out to catch the pieces and rebuild it.
Noir Arts (NPCC) is a well-regarded printing company located in the western part of Ukraine. No other printer in the world is 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. They will use their best options for the deck, with a high quality 310gsm German paper and premium linen finish on the cards, black paper stock, and dual-foiling (shades of red and black) on the tuck case.
It is also possible to get, as an add-on, the last units of the original deck, Freedom, with the artist’s original designs and a beautiful tuck case made of pearlescent blue cardstock and two foils in blue and yellow, the colors of the Ukrainian flag.
In addition, with this campaign, NPCC has also wanted to make the world aware of the reality that Ukrainian citizens live every day, with places devastated by bombing and ammunition remains scattered everywhere. To do this, two special collector sets are offered in a luxury double magnetic case that include two decks (Resistance and Freedom or Unity and Freedom) together with a bullet shell (coming directly from the front, not from any kind of training, but from the battlefield) or a fragment of a missile that abounds in places, many of them civilian buildings, punished by Russian attacks.
Although we all hoped, when launching the previous campaign almost a year ago, that the conflict would end much sooner, we remain hopeful that this terrible invasion will end and the Ukrainian people can start working on their reconstruction. For that reason, the money collected, after payment of Kickstarter and bank fees, will be used to pay for the production and distribution of the deck, thereby helping the Ukrainian economy.
Furthermore, the end of the conflict will only be the beginning of reconstruction, and Ukraine will need a lot of help. All the team members have waived any type of payment so, after having ensured the production and distribution, the profit obtained will be put at the service of Ukrainian institutions for the help of its citizens and the reconstruction of their lives.
Whether you decide to back this campaign or not, please, spread the voice. We must keep alive the resistance against this unequal fight and trust that this conflict will end very soon.
If you want to join this movement for peace, visit the project website and raise your pledge.
Thank you for your support!
