On Saturday, April 8, Hamilton College's Focus on the Arts weekend featured "Picture This: A Symposium on Political Cartooning and Illustrating," in the new Science Center. Presented by Thomas Booth '06, a senior at Hamilton College and four-year cartoonist for Hamilton's The Spectator, the symposium also featured Hamilton Professor of Religious Studies Jay Williams, Boston University Professor Emeritus of English John Riely, and syndicated cartoonists Rob Rogers, whose cartoons appear regularly in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Newsweek, and USA Today; Tony Auth, of The Philadelphia Inquirer; and Steve Brodner, who has regular cartoons in National Lampoon, Sports Illustrated, Playboy and Spy.
President Joan Hinde Stewart kicked the symposium off with a message about the importance of political cartooning as a medium today. She said, "Hamilton has a well-earned reputation for teaching its students to communicate well. We are especially proud of our students' abilities to write cogently and to speak persuasively. But in organizing this symposium, Tom Booth reminds us that communication takes many forms, and that line drawings can be as powerful and memorable as any well-crafted phrase."
While introducing the featured speakers Booth reflected briefly on his experience as a political cartoonist, "In cartooning, sometimes the drawing is better, and sometimes the idea is better, but when you get them both right -- those are the cartoons that stick." He also spoke of his desire to inspire future cartoonists that led to the editorial cartoon competition for high school students. The winners were announced at the symposium.
Riely gave a presentation, "Comedy and Caricature in the Art of Thomas Rowlandson," on historical cartoonist and illustrator Thomas Rowlandson. An exhibit of Rowlandson's work is on display at the Emerson Gallery through April 15.
In his talk, "The Satiric Vision," Brodner showed some of his collection of published (and some unpublished) cartoons and illustrations. He explained his work process, "You're looking for a construction, [then] you change the image so you get a lie that tells the truth."
Rogers, who followed with slides of his work, said, "I think of [political cartooning] kind of like hunting, a little like Dick Cheney, but instead of quail, I'm hunting for Dick Cheney." Interspersed with the audiences' laughter were periods of silence and reflection, when cartoons portraying more serious issues were shown. His talk was appropriately titled: "I Cross the Line."
Auth said, "Some people think that the goal of cartoonists is to make people laugh...[but] our highest works are not gags at headlines; they go much deeper than that." His talk was "Sacred Cows Make the Best Hamburger" and he showed some of his work while explaining his view of the role of cartoonists.
Williams concluded the symposium with a discussion of "Thomas Nast and Multiculturalism," using the historical examples of Nast's work from the 1800s, and applying them to modern ideals of multiculturalism. The symposium was followed by a reception in Emerson Gallery to give participants and guests an opportunity to view the show, "Humor & Humanity: Through the Eyes of Thomas Rowlandson (1756-1827).
A high school editorial cartoon competition was held at in conjunction with the symposium. The winning entries were selected by Jon Broadbooks, editor of the Observer-Dispatch, Hamilton Professor Jay Williams, Tom Booth '06, and professional cartoonists Tony Auth, Rob Rogers and Steve Brodner.
- Alice Popejoy '09
President Joan Hinde Stewart kicked the symposium off with a message about the importance of political cartooning as a medium today. She said, "Hamilton has a well-earned reputation for teaching its students to communicate well. We are especially proud of our students' abilities to write cogently and to speak persuasively. But in organizing this symposium, Tom Booth reminds us that communication takes many forms, and that line drawings can be as powerful and memorable as any well-crafted phrase."
While introducing the featured speakers Booth reflected briefly on his experience as a political cartoonist, "In cartooning, sometimes the drawing is better, and sometimes the idea is better, but when you get them both right -- those are the cartoons that stick." He also spoke of his desire to inspire future cartoonists that led to the editorial cartoon competition for high school students. The winners were announced at the symposium.
Riely gave a presentation, "Comedy and Caricature in the Art of Thomas Rowlandson," on historical cartoonist and illustrator Thomas Rowlandson. An exhibit of Rowlandson's work is on display at the Emerson Gallery through April 15.
In his talk, "The Satiric Vision," Brodner showed some of his collection of published (and some unpublished) cartoons and illustrations. He explained his work process, "You're looking for a construction, [then] you change the image so you get a lie that tells the truth."
Rogers, who followed with slides of his work, said, "I think of [political cartooning] kind of like hunting, a little like Dick Cheney, but instead of quail, I'm hunting for Dick Cheney." Interspersed with the audiences' laughter were periods of silence and reflection, when cartoons portraying more serious issues were shown. His talk was appropriately titled: "I Cross the Line."
Auth said, "Some people think that the goal of cartoonists is to make people laugh...[but] our highest works are not gags at headlines; they go much deeper than that." His talk was "Sacred Cows Make the Best Hamburger" and he showed some of his work while explaining his view of the role of cartoonists.
Williams concluded the symposium with a discussion of "Thomas Nast and Multiculturalism," using the historical examples of Nast's work from the 1800s, and applying them to modern ideals of multiculturalism. The symposium was followed by a reception in Emerson Gallery to give participants and guests an opportunity to view the show, "Humor & Humanity: Through the Eyes of Thomas Rowlandson (1756-1827).
A high school editorial cartoon competition was held at in conjunction with the symposium. The winning entries were selected by Jon Broadbooks, editor of the Observer-Dispatch, Hamilton Professor Jay Williams, Tom Booth '06, and professional cartoonists Tony Auth, Rob Rogers and Steve Brodner.
- Alice Popejoy '09
