St. Joseph, Mich. - In an age of memes, satire and political polarization,
Krasl Art Center welcomes
Lines with Power and Purpose: Editorial Cartoons
to the main gallery January 31 - March 8, 2020.
Featuring fifty-one original editorial cartoons from metropolitan newspapers in the United States, the exhibition spans across two world wars and the great depression.
Lines with Power and Purpose
illustrates historical battles amid politics and popular opinion. It represents a bygone era when printed matter was the status quo and cartoonists were part of the newsroom staff.
It illustrates discontent with the U.S. government, presidential elections, and daily work-related battles with dualistic intentions: to provide welcomed comic relief as well as shape opinions.
Included in this exhibition are six Pulitzer Prize winners for editorial cartooning, among others. The collection has been culled from the Melton Gallery at the University of Central Oklahoma, which has housed the cartoons for more than three decades. A Program of ExhibitsUSA, a national division of Mid-America Arts Alliance and The National Endowment for the Arts.
During this exhibition, KAC’s art
lab
gallery will host
Ongoing Matter
,
a collection of poster designs developed by 9 designers across the U.S. intended to increase access to, and facilitate engagement with, the
Report On the Investigation Into Russian Interference in the 2016 Presidential Election
- more colloquially known as
The Mueller Report
.
The exhibition follows a long history of posters as a medium for empowering citizens at crucial societal, political, and cultural moments in time.
As a non-partisan undertaking, an overarching goal of the designers is to help educate and inspire activism, regardless of political ideology affiliation.
Participating artists include Rafael Barahona, Anne H. Berry, Marie Bourgeois, Mikey Burton, Brian Edlefson, Sarah Edmands Martin, Jordan Kauffman, Andre Murnieks, and Kelly Walters.
The exhibitions kick off Friday, January 31, with an opening party. The evening begins at 5:30 PM with a presentation by
Ongoing Matter
collaborators Anne H. Berry, Sarah Edmands Martin, and Brian Edlefson.
The artists
will discuss the history of political poster design, the challenges of nonpartisan design and information access in a polarized political climate, and the process behind working in creative partnerships.
The party begins after the presentation at 6 PM and includes a cash bar and small bites provided by Bistro on the Boulevard.
EXHIBITION PROGRAMMING - MARK YOU CALENDAR!
OPENING NIGHT PARTY
FRIDAY, JANUARY 31
5:30 PM - ARTIST TALK
A presentation by
Ongoing Matter
collaborators Anne H. Berry, Sarah Edmands Martin, and Brian Edlefson.
6 – 8 PM - EXHIBITION PARTY
Featuring a cash bar, music, and complimentary small bites by Bistro on the Boulevard.
COFFEE WITH THE CURATOR
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 12 PM
Walk through the galleries with KAC Deputy Director & Curator, Tami Miller to explore and learn about the art on view. Coffee provided by Fort'e Coffee.
THOUGHTFUL THURSDAY + ART HISTORY
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 7 PM
Consider the artwork on view within the context of the era in which it was made and experience how visual culture can express critical moments in U.S. history.
UNDERSTANDING ART EXPERIENCES
Interested in bringing your student or community group to the exhibit? Book a tour of
Lines with Power and Purpose: Editorial Cartoons
and
Ongoing Matter
for a class or group! Email the education department at [email protected].
