Satire, Political Art and Propaganda

[Sumamba Buwhan]

I'm guessing that most of you have seen the various depictions of B.H.Obama and G.W.Bush as Hitler and other nasty characters. Whether they are valid comparisons in any way or not, they are sometimes quick and dirty indicators that tell us something about how the person is viewed by some for whatever reason, imagined or not.

Be it satire, propaganda or just political artwork done for fun or profit, how do find yourself reacting to these, often, over-the-top images? Do they ever hold any redeeming value?

Obviously, I am taking a very narrow view of a wide ranging body of work and I don't expect you to stay within the bounds of what I have mentioned so far.

The main reason I am bringing it up is because I was looking over my crappy Photoshopped stuff and saw a few things I had done. It got me wondering about fellow NSGers and their views about these things.

Do you have any favorite types of political satire or art? Have you produced much of your own? Will you share it with the rest of us?

I found 3 things I had done and here they are:

Hillary the Corporate Whore (I made this for a topic starter on the last NSG forum if I remember correctly):




'Douchbag of the Month Award' for McCain (I can't remember why):




This was in response to Beck being the last US American Hero for the fringe conservatives and a request made for a similar image:

[Kantria]

The "Obama as Hitler" pics were very enlightening. Before I saw them, I didn't even realize that Obama systematically attempted to eradicate an entire ethnic group from the face of the Earth.

[Neesika]

Ha, well my first reaction is 'hell yes I love satire!' But then I see some of the ridiculous accusations made against people I support, and I go 'buh'? I mean, it's always gone on, leaders or people of note have been satirised and quite often the satire helped express feelings people really have about their policy/actions. Whether or not I agree with the sentiments expressed, I have to say that I think it's an important way for us to get out our real reactions to what's going on. In a lot of cases, a simple characterture can express the irony/contradiction/bizarreness of a situation in a way that a long winded essay couldn't quite capture. On the other hand, charactertures have also been used to promote intolerance, stereotypes and bigotry. The only cure for that, in my mind, is education. People need to learn to be more critical minded and question these images.

[Maurepas]

Eh, doesnt matter to me, as long as it isnt inciting violence, etc., Free Speech is free speech...

However, I would recommend they read up on Godwin's Law, and realize what it means for their credibility,

[Hydesland]

I think it's good to continually mock the elite, stops them from getting too big headed or losing touch with how they are really perceived. In Britain, magazines and newspapers will always depict whatever politician they are talking about as funny caricatures, like this:

[Sumamba Buwhan]

The "Obama as Hitler" pics were very enlightening. Before I saw them, I didn't even realize that Obama systematically attempted to eradicate an entire ethnic group from the face of the Earth.

Thats because the liberal elite is covering it up.

[Chrobalta]

I support it if its funny, but otherwise you are just a tea-bagger.

[Maurepas]

The "Obama as Hitler" pics were very enlightening. Before I saw them, I didn't even realize that Obama systematically attempted to eradicate an entire ethnic group from the face of the Earth.

Thats because the liberal elite is covering it up.

Dont tell them our agenda,

[Chrobalta]

The "Obama as Hitler" pics were very enlightening. Before I saw them, I didn't even realize that Obama systematically attempted to eradicate an entire ethnic group from the face of the Earth.

Thats because the liberal elite is covering it up.

Dont tell them our agenda,

What agenda?

[Goath]

Satire is important and political art can be very important. Good satire can reveal things you didn't know or expose you to perspectives you hadn't considered- but there is a line between a smart political cartoon and one that compares George W. Bush or Barack Obama to Adolf Hitler.

[Nadkor]

This always has been, and probably always will be, my favourite piece of political art:

[Neesika]

The "Obama as Hitler" pics were very enlightening. Before I saw them, I didn't even realize that Obama systematically attempted to eradicate an entire ethnic group from the face of the Earth.

Pffft, just give that brother time. Phe3r for your lives, white folk!

[Sumamba Buwhan]

Ha, well my first reaction is 'hell yes I love satire!' But then I see some of the ridiculous accusations made against people I support, and I go 'buh'? I mean, it's always gone on, leaders or people of note have been satirised and quite often the satire helped express feelings people really have about their policy/actions. Whether or not I agree with the sentiments expressed, I have to say that I think it's an important way for us to get out our real reactions to what's going on. In a lot of cases, a simple characterture can express the irony/contradiction/bizarreness of a situation in a way that a long winded essay couldn't quite capture. On the other hand, charactertures have also been used to promote intolerance, stereotypes and bigotry. The only cure for that, in my mind, is education. People need to learn to be more critical minded and question these images.

Yes! I don't care if there is an inflammatory image putting down someone I like or support because it should start conversation. The problem is, people are so non-confrontational or too intellectually lazy to actually question the image and get the conversation started.

[Neesika]

Yes! I don't care if there is an inflammatory image putting down someone I like or support because it should start conversation. The problem is, people are so non-confrontational or too intellectually lazy to actually question the image and get the conversation started.

Intellectual sloth makes me want to anally rape people with AIDS-infected cheese graters.

I miss you, DC.

[Sumamba Buwhan]

Nobody has done any of their own political artwork?

More fun stuff:

[Sumamba Buwhan]

This always has been, and probably always will be, my favourite piece of political art:

I don't get it. What is going on?

[Sumamba Buwhan]

Yes! I don't care if there is an inflammatory image putting down someone I like or support because it should start conversation. The problem is, people are so non-confrontational or too intellectually lazy to actually question the image and get the conversation started.

Intellectual sloth makes me want to anally rape people with AIDS-infected cheese graters.

I miss you, DC.

Abandoning us was just another way for him to troll us

[F1-Insanity]

Socialism explained:

[Kantria]

This always has been, and probably always will be, my favourite piece of political art:

I don't get it. What is going on?

http://suzieqq.wordpress.com/2009/08/08 ... d-weeping/

[Sumamba Buwhan]

Socialism explained:

That's a great example, that illustrates perfectly the simplistic argument we hear so often. Thanks.

[F1-Insanity]

That's a great example, that illustrates perfectly the simplistic argument we hear so often. Thanks.

You mean as opposed to the downright idiotic 'argument' that is used in response?

[Sumamba Buwhan]

I don't get it. What is going on?

http://suzieqq.wordpress.com/2009/08/08 ... d-weeping/[/quote]

oh ok, ty!

[Neesika]

Okay well I did this guerilla diorama in law school one day...sorry the pic isn't very clear, but I had to pretend it wasn't me who did it when I took the pic. The signs says "We'll do ANYTHING to bring you lower prices!" The skeletons are "unions" and "environment".

[Sumamba Buwhan]

Okay well I did this guerilla diorama in law school one day...sorry the pic isn't very clear, but I had to pretend it wasn't me who did it when I took the pic. The signs says "We'll do ANYTHING to bring you lower prices!" The skeletons are "unions" and "environment".

YAY!

[Neesika]

You mean as opposed to the downright idiotic 'argument' that is used in response?

That's funny.

Both pictures are simplistic.

I think it's telling that you dismiss the one as 'downright idiotic' while lauding yours as somehow truthful at its core.