ART AND EXPERIENCE Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

ART AND EXPERIENCE - Essay Example Each of these produced a different approach to the expression used and allowed the cartoons to remain at the forefront of expressing and questioning the movements which were occurring during this time frame. Background of Caricatures and Cartoons The 18th and 19th centuries differed with caricatures and cartoons because of their main purpose. In contemporary drawings, there is a focus on the publisher, with the cartoons published in magazines and newspapers. The expression was then based on short term ideologies and statements about a given issue. However, the cartoons which were provided before the 20th century were based on long term applications and were typically used with as a form of artistic expression to be shown in galleries, cafes and other areas. The concept of not dividing the cartoons and caricatures from the everyday artistic expressions created a valuable aspect to the cartoon and what is represented. More important, the subject matters and statements were created to r emain relevant throughout time and to have thematic material which was applicable to culture, history and the way in which current events related to this1. The concept of the cartoon as one which was relevant to the time frame and which was also depicted as art then led to a distinction between the genre of art which it represented. Instead of creating the ideology that the artistic work was a cartoon or caricature, many considered the technique as one which expressed a form of satire. The satire was based on the current system while creating an expression which was both realistic and which couldn’t hold the belief of remaining real. The image and brand which was used with the technique was able to create this dichotomy specifically by showing that there was an unrealistic aspect to the political, social and cultural ideologies which many had, even though it was an event which had occurred. The dichotomy which was created and which presented the aspect of a satirical piece of work then led to specific expressions and definitions within the art presented2. Political Revolution and Cartoons The first component which was seen with the cartoons and satires which were presented were based on the French and British revolutions which occurred during the time. These particular components of history were based on the rebellion of the peasants and commoners to gain rights within the lands and to have more abilities with the nobles that were in the region. When this occurred, there were several uprisings and political powers which resisted the change. The result was sets of battles and warfare as well as arrests which occurred with the revolutions to try to maintain and change what had occurred with those who had gone through the desire to change. At the same time, there was a sense of trying to keep the lower classes oppressed while allowing the nobility and those with a higher economic and social status to remain ahead of those in society. The rebellion which oc curred was based specifically on these divisions and the way in which they built into the several revolutions of the time.3 There are several examples of the uprising as well as the rebellion which took place and the satirical events which were associated with this. Figure 1 is a representative of the cartoons and satires which were based on the revolution. Figure 1: Reveil de Tiers Etat When looking at this specific piece, it can be