Sunday, May 31, 2009

Cartoons.

This is coolbert:

"But right now, when the Japs are planting their hatchets in our skulls, it seems like a hell of a time for us to smile and warble: 'Brothers!' It is a rather flabby battle cry. If we want to win, we’ve got to kill Japs . . . We can get palsy-walsy afterward with those that are left."

—Theodor Geisel"


Here are two artists who contributed to the war effort during the Second World War [WW2], each in their own particular style. Cartoonists during the war period, BUT IN REALITY PERSONS OF VERY PROFOUND ARTISTIC TALENT!!

1. Dr Seuss.

"Theodor Seuss Geisel . . . was an American writer and cartoonist who was most widely known for his children's books written under his pen name, Dr. Seuss"

During the war period, Dr. Seuss was noted for his severe caricatures and stereotypical characterizations of the Japanese. Portrayals done in an "overtly racist way"!



"Dr. Seuss draws 'Japan' - piggish nose, coke-bottle eyeglasses, slanted eyes, brush mustache, lips parted (usually in a smile)."

[a smile usually with BIG BUCK TEETH excessively accentuated!!]

2. Arthur Szyk.

"Arthur Szyk (pronounced "Shick") . . . was a Polish-born American artist, famous for his anti-Axis political illustrations, caricatures, and cartoons during World War II"

Szyk was a refugee from Hitler, a Jew, a man whose parents were killed during the war, and a man with strong political motivation! AND WAS AN OUTSTANDING ARTIST TO BOOT!!




The wartime art of Szyk CANNOT BE MERELY CATEGORIZED AS CARTOONS? ARE SEVERAL STEPS BEYOND THE WORKS OF DR. SEUSS? ARE HIGH ART? JUDGE FOR YOURSELF!

[please note too than when portraying "Japan", Arthur also demonstrates a marked attraction with the "overtly racist way"!!]

coolbert.

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