Last week on toonpool.com (November 1-7, 2009)

Paul — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 14:26:04 +0000

On Monday, it will be 20 years since the Berlin Wall came down and there’s a lot of fuss in the German media right now. Obviously, toonpool.com’s hometown is at the center of attention. I am a bit surprised, though, that there aren’t more new cartoons on this topic. Most of the Berlin Wall cartoons by German artists are probably too specific or too much based on puns to be translated (here, here and here).
Of the more accessible cartoons, I liked the contrast between this one by Dragan from Spain and this one by German artist GB. Funny thing is, that both views of post-reunification Germany are true. There is a kind of normality – there’s a whole Generation of kids going to college or starting in their first jobs who know the GDR only from stories. At the same time, there are vast differences between western and eastern Germany, two cultural spheres, if you will, let alone economic differences. And, sometimes, in my oversimplifying moments of Berlin-born-college-boy-grandeur, I think that GB is right in describing both cultural spheres as being united by their petty bourgeois foundations.

An interesting thing happens when artists link the Berlin wall to the Israeli West Bank barrier, as in this piece by Paolo Lombardi referencing “Test the Best” on Berlin’s East Side Gallery. The strong appeal of a wall as a symbol of injustice apparently overrides all difficulties that arise when you compare the historical background of the two walls. On the other hand, comparing them anyway might lead to interesting new insights as happened accidentally in the comments to this 2008 piece by Ben Heine.

Introducing…

Continuing with the West Bank theme, I would like to introduce new artist Ramzy Taweel, who actually lives in Palestine. He drew these two cartoons about his thoughts on the issue (note the one-legged background guy on the beach). Apart from fitting this week’s topic, Ramzy totally qualifies for this column by his art – a clear message, a clean, professional style and effective use of colors. My favorite among his non-political cartoons is about Henson-folk and flu. Apparently, I missed out on the passing of Big Bird some time last year.

I further would like to introduce Mallorca-based German artist Nicki Wambolt. I don’t want to write about great and innovative use of colors again (I feel that I always do), but then again, Wambolt’s use of color is great and innovative in a way different from the other artists’ individual great and innovative ways. So, yeah. Be sure to check out the dog-eared audience, the dangers of play-doh, the plate of chilies and the glass-house guy.

Cartoons of Interest

This week’s favorite is plain and simple. “Naufrago” (“Shipwrecked”) by Karlo from Chile. Things like these probably happen all the time.

Paul Hellmich

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Last week on toonpool.com (November 1-7, 2009)