Perception and Reality at the NYT

The cartoon contains, to my count, four distinct, antagonistic levels of reality.  The first is the thumbsdown video image as viewed from the orientation of the true frame of the television picture – and the implied meaning/commentary of the person whose hand is being videoed.  Second is the reality of the room itself which, in being upside down to the cartoon viewer, appears to be violating the laws of gravity – the drape, lamp, rug, couch and the TV set itself, all seem to be oriented to a force contrary to the cartoon viewer’s perception of the way the gravity of the panel should be operating.  Next is the actuality of the TV watcher in the chair whose physical status is ambiguous.  Is he subject to the gravity that seems to hold the chair he is sitting in to the ceiling (and the gravitizational orientation of the reader.) or is he, as his tie (and perhaps the somewhat distorted appearance of the way his pants and shirt are drawn) would indicate, subject to the same forces as the remaining furniture and the TV set in the room?   Finally, there is the reality of the viewer of the panel, which is set against the previous three orientations.  

The effect of the cartoon, to my eye, is to produce a sickening perceptual cognitive dissonance.  The artist asks us: what reality would you accept and what reality should the man in the frame accept?  Does he know the absurd lengths to which he is contorting both himself and the observer in order to hold to his altered perception of what is being portrayed on his TV?  Somehow this cartoon has captured the exact sense of nausea I experience every time I watch the corporate media.

I could write a whole essay on how this cartoon conveys it’s meaning entirely visually, how it viscerally expresses that meaning and the unease it provokes. It is a devastating modern visual koan.  Is there any hope for us in this picture?  I think not.

What do you think?

 Peace,

Bob  Boldt

PS

Now turn the cartoon upside down.

Recommend this article...

Did you enjoy this article? Please bookmark it onto:

Be first to comment this article

Write Comment

Please keep the topic of messages relevant to the subject of the article. Personal verbal attacks will be deleted. Please don't use comments to plug your web site. Such material will be removed. Just ensure to *Refresh* your browser for a new security code to be displayed prior to clicking on the 'Send' button. Keep in mind that the above process only applies if you simply entered the wrong security code.
Name:
E-mail
Homepage
Title:
BBCode:
Comment:
Code:*
	I wish to be contacted by email regarding additional comments

Powered by AkoComment Tweaked Special Edition v.1.4.4