The Agenda Playing Cards Facade (henceforth Agenda Red) continues the tradition we have established in our earlier projects, Agenda Playing Cards (aka V1), Mini Agenda, and the recently funded Agenda Playing Cards Redux (aka Agenda Blue) - translating abstract concepts related to change, transformation, ideology into concrete visual representations embedded in playing card designs. The idea for Agenda Red came to us in the middle of our hugely successful Agenda Blue campaign (we have our ups and downs for that campaign if you are acquainted with what has happened). There was a realization that there are still many other ways we can play with the ideas and concepts visually using the playing card medium. In fact, we did not just spawn Agenda Red, we are also working on an Agenda series that will include at least another 2 playing card projects. The rest of the series will feature exploration of other related concepts and new, exciting design and colour schemes. The success of Agenda Red will serve as catalyst to complete the entire series.

Making a point without actually expressing what one has in mind or worse, making a different point from what one has in mind with the intention to mislead, is the key message that Agenda Red is representing. The reasons for not expressing what one has in mind can range from the innocuous ("I am shy," "I am just trying to keep my opinions to myself") to the malicious ("The media is -- really, the word, I think the best term I've come up with -- is fake"). You can call this having hidden agendas or ulterior motives. Different sides of the same coin. The essence of all these is putting on a front that is not genuine - a facade. In Agenda Red, this idea of a facade is incorporated into the card design through the use of masks. Masks are featured prominently in our newly designed Aces and Court cards. We are quite pleased with ourselves that we managed to cover another key aspect of change and transformation and to represent it through a simple and elegant metaphorical device. We hope you share the same sentiments too. AGENDA RED BASIC features: A primarily yellow-gold/red color scheme Printed by the United States Playing Card Company Traditional cut and magic finish A classic Bicycle deck with a standard tuck case Produced by Flagrant Agenda

Scans of each card can be seen at marytcusack.com/maryc/decks/html/Cards/Agenda.html

Agenda Redux is all about the colours and details, in contrast to the monotone and minimalism of V1. Subtle enhancements are added to the card back, court cards, aces and jokers to for a more balanced and organic look and feel. The elements that represent change and transformation from V1, the serpent, the flower, the waves, the triangles, the sun, moon and stars, the eyeless monarchs and the mandala, are all present in Agenda Redux.