Holding up a blank sheet of paper has been used since the 1960s as a way of expressing politically suppressed opinions. It has appeared in Russia in protests against the war in Ukraine, in China, and even in the UK in protests against the monarchy following the death of Queen Elizabeth II. In these cases, the empty surface functions as a stand-in for specific content that is already publicly understood.

On the other hand, an empty speech container can signify silence—a lack of response. In this sense, it invokes the idea that silence is complicity. Not speaking out in the face of injustice or abuses of power can amount to accepting, or even condoning, them.

In both instances, silence is shown to be anything but passive. It is always a form of statement, even when the intention is to avoid confrontation or involvement.

In a democratic society, shaping public opinion cannot be left exclusively to politicians and media professionals, with elections as the only opportunity for citizens to express their views. Democracy also depends on people taking part in public debate, making their positions visible, and seeking to influence those who make decisions.