Just in the middle of summarising the intro to this interesting book Im reading about characature. Im Predominantly interested in William Hogarth and James Gillray.
(Page 10) The introduction (which summarises the history of caricature in much detail), clarifies that caricature was at its most vital in the closing years of the 18th century and was an art form considered to be "as British as Roast beef and beer" and it added a third dimension to the national school of portraiture and fine art.
Mockery of the individual was but one function of caricature, but also the progress of human culture, folly, greed and lechery, often embodied in the corruption of such professionals as the church, the Army, Law, high poloitics and Medicine.
One thing I didnt know was that this mode of drawing (graphic distortions of the salient points of a persons appearance or habitual costume) was FIRST practised by Annibale and Agostino Carracci in Italy at the end of the 16th Century, which was 150 years before caricature was adopted by satirists in England (WOW, we were late).
(Page 11) It is further argued by satirist Annibale that "a caricaturists task is exactly the same as a classical artists. As both see the lasting truth beneath the surface of mere outward appearance. Both try help nature accomplish its plan. The one may strive to visualize the perfect form and to realise it in his work, the other to grasp the pefrect deformity, and thus reveal the very essence of a personality. A Good caricature, like every work of art, is more true to life than reality itself."
Saturday, 12 December 2009
Saturday, 14 November 2009
Seth McFarlen VS Aaron McGruder
I chose to compare Seth Mcfarlens 'The Cleveland Show' (Family Guy Spin off http://www.fox.com/cleveland/) up against Aaron McGruders 'The Boondocks' for obvious reasons. They are both savage pieces of satire, but besides from this, they are both cartooons about the lives of black people. Therefore Id like to discuss which I believe to be more relevant (especially since I am black, so to speak, judging from the point of view of a black person as well as objectively).
Since Family guy cloned the plutonic family formula that has made the Simpsons, it therefore still represents the average American white family. So wouldnt it make sense for The cleveland show to follow the same formula for how America sees black people? Yes some would agree it does, but only to a certain extent. After watching the above trailer, alongside a few episodes, it seems to retain a weaker version of family guy humour, and does not tend to deal with issues directly related to the black community. Therefore family guy fans will find it boring because it could be seen a cheap rip off, and black people may find it a little boring becaue it doesnt necessarily address them or their lives that well. There I was a few years back yearning for a black cartoon which could hold the same with wit as Simspons or Family Guy and when one finally does pop up, it doesnt quite fullfill that void within me (since Boondocks didnt quite do it for me).
on the other hand:
The Boondocks is a satirical cartoon based on the lives of black people in America. It addresses the lives of the Average stereotypes of African Americans. As the creator Aaron McGruder studied African American history, it is his main goal to spread a message that makes people open their eyes and realise things with regards to society's political structure in correlation with black history. Especially since the character Riley seems to love all the negative conotations attached to the black entertainment industry. Whilst his older brother Huey has contempt for such topics, therefore is trying to create a revolution.
I do like this cartoon, but on the downside, I just beleive it lacks a certain amount of wit that cartoons like The Simpsons and Family guy hold which make them successful and long lasting. The Boondocks topic matter along with Family guys wit would make the PERFECT , long lasting black cartoon, which Seth Mcfarlen has JUST missed with The Cleveland show.
Aims objectives and main comparison points:
The Cleveland Show:
I believe the main aim of the cleveland show is to identify that cleveland is an interesting enough character in 'Family Guy' to have his own show. Since he is black, I guess Seth Mcfarlen capitalises on black stereotypes here and there to paint a little picture of some african Americans.
The Boondocks:
From what I've seen and read, The Boondocks is a social satire of American culture and race relations (or stereotypes in the world), revolving around the lives of the Freeman family. Ive seen messages of social and political Hierarchy and racial issues often addressed with important eye opening messages behind them. Even though Boondocks is not quite as witty or (arguably) funny as the cleveland show, it still holds an important message for why black people need to wake up.
Its boondocks over the cleveland show all the way in my opinion.
What is so good about Matt Groening's Satire that has kept him around till today???
Matt Groenings "The Simpsons" has been around for decades now and is by far one of the most successful Televison series in the history of animation. I decided to look up what Matt himself actually had to say. One of the things I gathered is from the video above is what my Lecturer on Character design and storyboard development also said. And its to do with how recognisable his characters are just based on the shapes of their sillouettes, making The Simpsons redundant (easily identifiable). Lets face it, The Simspns are a lovable representation of what the average plutonic American family could be like on a day to day basis. Lastly, its easily watchable for the whole family, even though its a cartoon, adults can watch it due to the adult humour, but in saying this, the type of humour is not too raw for young children.
Matt Groening Vs Seth Mcfarlen
.jpg)
The Simpsons, to me satires the average American family to some extent, with its subtle, gentle approach, yet graceful delivery, touching on realistic day to day issues. Personally, I feel like The Simpsons is a prime example of a cartoon who follows Aristotles rules of narrative (having a beginning, middle and an end) and sometimes Propps seven lines of action, making it entertaining and critically acclaimable.
Intertextuality is the notion that nothing is original, therefore, alot of our work is stolen from what came before it (and maybe just remodified in some ways). Well in the case of Seth Mcfarlens family guy, this theory of intertextuality could not be further from the truth. Just when I thought it couldnt get any better than the Simpsons, up pops a rather strange new family. Hoewever, family guy differs from the Simpsons due to the fact that its definitely a SAVAGE attack of the satirical connotations of the Average American family. Yes, one could say it is a rip off of The Simspons, except Seth Mcfarlen has somehow managed to master the art of arbitrary humour, whilst unfortunately comprimising the quality of the storylines.
English Caricature (1620 To the present)
Ive been reading this book lately called "English caricature (1620 To the present)" published by the Victoria and Albert Museum. I picked it up as its mainly about Caricaturists and Satirists, their art, their purpose and their influence. It shows alot about the history of satire, Gillray and William Hogarth (who I was rather interested in, in a previous post).
The first thing that caught my attention was this painting that was One of the first major satires, which was designed by an English Preacher Samuel Ward. In a tent, sit the Devil, the Pope the King of spain and others, plotting against England.
Aims, objectives and Type of satire:
It celebrates the deliverence of England from the Spanish Armarda and the fail of Guy Fawkes attempt to blow up Parliament. The fact that the Pope is juxtaposed with the devil actually sitting down with him, suggests to me this is a SAVAGE piece of satire, which indeed got him in a bit of trouble. Once again reflecting the current affairs of society (I think Im noticing a pattern here).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)