The National Archives panel
-
- February
- 11
I haven’t posted any cartoons for a few days, as I was luxuriating in DC for a panel discussion on political cartooning hosted by The National Archives with Ann Telnaes, Clay Bennett and Pat Oliphant. The discussion was nicely moderated by Stephen Hess, of the Brookings Institution and was the best panel discussion I’ve been on to date. When we were ushered down past the empty 300 seat auditorium to the Green Room, we all swallowed hard at the thought of the place being equally as empty once we re-emerged. Except that when we strode onto the stage a half hour later…the place was jammed. There were people sitting on the stairs at the edges and standing in the back!
At first, my eyes darted warily at the thought of talking politics in a government building, but was reassured by the organizers that The Constitution itself was residing majestically upstairs – can’t think of a better comeback than that. The discussion was wide ranging, from Pat Oliphant hopelessly trying to duck charges that he deliberately drew a hokey cartoon just to win a Pulitzer back in 1967 – To the future of political cartooning, which Steve Hess believes is in animation and I don’t. Animation is great, but people tune it out if it’s not entertaining…I love it, but there’s no substitute for “the contemplative art of the still cartoon” as Oliphant so eloquently put it. The consensus (I think) was that animation is a separate artform that will take its rightful place in the political commentary arena, but not at the expense of the powerful still image. To their extreme credit, a couple of familiar cartoonist faces were spied in the audience, notably Nate Beeler of The Washington Examiner and Matt Wuerker of the Politico. Tom Toles didn’t show (but you’ll be comforted to know that I gave him a hard time over lunch the next day…)
My Brother-in-law took these pics (thanks Alex) so I thought I’d throw them up here for added interest. The first one shows a remarkable back of the head shot of Pat Oliphant and Ann Telnaes, with the three geezers to the right being Clay “no tie” Bennett, me, and Stephen Hess. Here we are trying desperately to decipher one of my cartoons.
And this one shows the crowd to the left side of the auditorium…As you can see, the National Archives is a pretty nicely decorated place! Amazing what you can do with a little taxpayer money, huh?
This entry was posted
on Monday, February 11th, 2008 at 11:15 am by Matt Davies.
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What kind of no-talent ass clown took those pictures? Backs of heads, blurry crowds …
My 4-month-old nephew could have done better.
Sounds like you all had an insightful talk…
Any possibility a audio or video transcript will be posted somewhere?
J/curious—
It was videotaped by The National Archives, so I know there is a digital record of it. I’ll look into its availability…
And Alex…Your 4-Month-old nephew wasn’t allowed in, as he was ominously threatening to disrupt the proceedings…Which is why the photography was left to his
Uncle Ansel, I mean, Alex. Thanks for the photos, Alex. They were actually pretty good.
Matt,
This comment is off the track, but did you catch the Sunday NY Times “Week in Review” section?
It showed your cartoon w/President Bush in the maze “rounding the corner.”
It’s good to see your work recognized one more time.
Matt, your summary of the panel discussion was, as always, interesting and great to read. Your mother couldn’t have done better! I wish Elsa and I could have been there. And the “Rounding the Corner” cartoon in last Sunday’s Times was on the mark, Thanks for the years of enlightenment (really!) and entertainment you’ve broughnt in these dark years.
Abe
Hi Matt,
My boyfriend and I went to hear this panel discussion and had a great time. After the discussion, we went to look at and purchase items in the lobby. We were disappointed that they didn’t carry any of your books. Do you have any out there in the 3D world? We want to purchase a copy, but we can’t seem to find your name in any bookstores.
Is that uncle Warren next to you on stage? By the way the kids look like they are on the edge of their seats.
Thanks all! As a point of interest…Abe & Elsa Nad published a business magazine and were some of the first people ever to showcase my cartoons! The first one I did for them pointed out the irony of the new (at the time) smoke free cabins in jets that otherwise belch tons of emissions crud into the atmosphere… and the CEO of Delta(?) wrote a nasty letter and cancelled his subscription. My first taste of glory.
I do not have a book out at present, but am thinking about it. I’m not sure if anyone would buy it though.
And Jack…Steve Hess DOES look like Uncle Warren, you’re right. You should’ve seen the look on the kids faces when they were sitting excitedly in their seats waiting for “the show” to start and then their Dad walks on to the stage. It’s only because they are so well raised that they didn’t boo.
I just want you to know that I’m appalled at your stupid childish cartoons. If you really had a brain you’d probably take it out and play with it——-and probably drop and break it!!! Total crap each and every one!
Steve –
Incredibly enlightening post!
And excellent use of exclamation points!!
Very expressive!!!
I’ve been working on my technique using question marks and hyphens————- Any suggestions????????
sheez Matt, Dad doesn’t write for MY blogs!
howdjya get him to write a comment??? (I’m betting lemon meringue pie’s involved) LOLOL
saw your cartoon in Newsweek, was very impressed! keep up the awesome work!!
Laurie
I actually have that airline/smoking cartoon on an A4 blowup that Frankie sent me years ago – it was one of my first tastes of your work – early 90’s I belive? Always loved it – I think it’s somewhere on my ridiculously overflowing bookshelf with the Pulitzer clippings!
I think, Matt, that you can be assured of a decent level of interest in publishing – your humility is endearing, though