During a relaxing log-cabin getaway last month in
Woodstock, New York, we stumbled across a series of curious signs
peppered throughout the region. Our cousin Emily pointed out the
signposts near the Village Green. At first, they looked
like any other NY state historical markers. Upon reading them, though,
we realized that instead of documenting an important event,
the signs offered subtle commentary about political issues and cultural
touchstones. They flawlessly mimicked actual markers and stood out as
shrewd pieces of art.
The signs, it turns out, are the creation of Norm Magnusson. A prolific local artist, Magnusson calls these projects "art of social conscience." He envisions an I-75 Project in which similar markers would be placed in rest areas along the length of the interstate. Examples of his current creations include:
"On this site stood Karen DeWitt, who could not afford the prescription
drugs that would have saved her life;" and "On this site stood Robert
Oknos, who thought that global warming would not affect him in his
lifetime." On his website,
Magnusson notes that his creations "gently insert themselves into the
public realm," and he enjoys the surprise of passersby who stop to read
them. Says Magnusson:
"These
markers are just the kind of public art I really enjoy: gently
assertive and non-confrontational, firmly thought-provoking and pretty
to look at and just a little bit subversive."
Magnusson's signs tell stories in just a few words about the folly of
being politically dismissive. His works feature all of the hallmarks of
satire: an unexpected message, an acerbic tone, and immaculate
verisimilitude. We were most impressed by the amazing authenticity of
the pieces. It's almost
as though he used the same machine shop to render such medal-worthy
metallurgy. These signposts have caught the eye of several
other outlets (here, here, and here) as well.
Satire can be one of the trickiest genres to teach in the humanities.
Good satire requires a nuanced reading. It by definition
necessitates a two-stage understanding. A student must comprehend the
historical and/or literary background forming the foundation of the
piece, and then he or she must accurately read the author’s opinion to
discern reality from exaggeration. Jonathan Swift’s “A Modest Proposal”
in 1729 set the bar for intellectual send-ups. But practitioners such
as Aesop, Pope, Twain, Orwell, Pynchon, Trudeau, and Colbert have all
offered wry hyperboles on government and humanity.
Source: ASIDE
Visual satire is an emerging niche and can be a useful inroad to introducing students to social lampooning. Political cartoons, comic strips, graffiti, and billboards
all offer media for witty commentary. Both younger and older learners
can be guided through a visual dissection of these displays. We like the
4 Steps To Understanding An Image
as a helpful tool for parsing complex pictures. The best visual satire does not need panels or word bubbles, because
it thrives in its potent messaging of creative design and its skewering
partisanship.
For modern epitomes of visual satire, we think of "South Park" or "New Yorker" covers. Parodies and caricatures are enjoyable spoofs, while racist illustrations and minstrel shows of the Civil War era are unsettling examples. Online YouTube takeoffs of music videos are increasingly popular in their lip-synched ridiculousness. And many infographics are now gaining traction in their mockery of infographics themselves.
By the way, if you find yourself in the Woodstock area in late July, we highly recommend the Ulster County Fair for its welcoming atmosphere, riveting pig races, and dusty horse pulls. Also, Mexicali Blue in New Paltz offers some of the tastiest burritos we’ve ever had. Our favorites were the chili lime chicken and the achiote pork with coconut aioli.
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