"Raw Nerve! The Political Art of Steve Brodner," exhibition at Norman Rockwell Museum
STOCKBRIDGE - A timely new exhibition at Norman Rockwell Museum, "Raw Nerve! The Political Art of Steve Brodner," anticipates the upcoming U.S. presidential election with the provocative and influential art of political illustrator and art journalist Steve Brodner. On view from June 7 through October 26, 2008, the exhibition showcases Brodner's drawings, which reflect his unique blend of wit and acerbic, laser-like vision of American society, politics, and contemporary leaders.This is the first major museum exhibition for Brodner, who wryly describes himself as an "equal opportunity offender" of all politicians, political parties, and creeds. "Raw Nerve! The Political Art of Steve Brodner," mounted by Norman Rockwell Museum, examines the artist's vivid creative and technical processes and features more than 100 original artworks. The exhibition presents Brodner's insightful, often humorous interpretations and evaluations of American society and its leaders, including Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Bill and Hillary Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and John McCain. The exhibition includes a fascinating comparison of Brodner's contemporary depictions of our nation's leaders and Norman Rockwell's kinder, gentler portraits of politicians created during a very different era in U.S. political history.
"The last 30 years in American political life have been characterized by war, scandal, deception, hypocrisy and corruption, followed by... more war and scandal. It's been fun," jokes Steve Brodner, who combines caricature with satire in the finest tradition of such political illustrators as James Gilray and Thomas Nast. "Professional satirists are endowed with a perverse pleasure mechanism; we're like bloodhounds who become elated at closing in on a body. And we provide, I think, a similar public service."
Brodner draws upon a celebrated tradition of political caricature that hails from the eighteenth century. Beginning with the work of English illustrator James Gilray, whose satirical art cast a critical eye on the British government and the governing classes, political illustration has long been a platform from which to inform, motivate, and even incite the public. During the past two centuries, great cartoonists like Francisco Goya, Honoré Daumier, and Thomas Nast have presented distinctive political and social perspectives that posed significant questions about the controversial events of their times. Like his predecessors, Brodner's political illustrations define and comment on society, challenge our ideas, and profoundly influence public opinion on a mass scale.
"Steve Brodner is one of the most important political illustrators working today," says Norman Rockwell Museum's Charles Sable, the curator of the exhibition. "His singular ability to capture the essence of a politician's public persona and his unique insights about popular culture result in profound commentary. His illustrations are immediately comprehensible and often are absolutely hilarious."
Brodner, who calls himself an "art journalist," in addition to his work as a political illustrator, seeks reporting assignments from national publications, researches topics, and produces compelling images that provoke emotional response. As opposed to his overtly political illustrations, Brodner's art journalism imagery is usually not as satirical and is always drawn in series form in order to create an expansive narrative that speaks to a greater truth. His art journalism topics respond to and reflect upon some of our society's most pressing concerns: the plight of the American farmer, urban gun violence, and the machinations of government at the state level.
The exhibition will include some up-to-the-minute work by Brodner, which the Museum will present on a computer touch-screen linked to the illustration Web site http://www.drawger.com/stevebrodner/, where the artist posts daily drawings and commentary. As well, a video installation will show live-action and animated works created by Brodner and producer/director Gail Levin, derived from his current assignment as "official political illustrator of the 2008 presidential campaign" for "The New Yorker," called "The Naked Campaign." These media elements are intended to give viewers a close look at the artist's creative process, as well an opportunity to see his charged visual responses to each day's top news stories and campaign coverage. Museum-goers will also be able to vote in a mock-election at a vintage voting machine.
Steve Brodner's Biography
Steve Brodner has been a satirical illustrator for more than 30 years. Born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1954, he studied art at the Cooper Union in New York City. As a young artist, he entered and won first place in a major illustration competition sponsored by the Population Institute--an award presented by the legendary "New York Times" caricaturist Al Hirschfeld, whom he greatly admired. After graduating from Cooper Union in 1976, he cut his teeth at "The Hudson Dispatch," a small newspaper in Union City, New Jersey, where his talent for political satire was first recognized. In 1977, "The New York Times Book Review" began publishing his artwork, and from 1979 through 1982, he produced his own journal, "The New York Illustrated News." Brodner developed a distinctive style in the early 1980s, and began creating illustrations for nearly every major American periodical of the day. By the end of the decade he emerged as the nation's foremost political artist, a distinction that he has maintained to this day.
Brodner is an award-winning commentator whose imagery has appeared in such noted periodicals as "The New Yorker," "Esquire," "The New York Times," "New York," "Mother Jones," "The Nation," "National Lampoon," "Rolling Stone," "Sports Illustrated," "The Washington Post," and "The Village Voice," among many others.
Exhibition-related Programs and Events
A Member's Exhibition Opening for "Raw Nerve! The Political Art of Steve Brodner," will be held on Saturday, June 7, from 6 to 8 p.m. Guest speaker Steve Brodner will offer commentary on his work and the United States Presidential campaign starting at 6:30 p.m. A book signing of "Freedom Fries" by Steve Brodner will follow the talk.
Complimentary non-partisan snacks will be served, including left and right wings, wry bread, raw veggies, bureaucratic mixed nuts, big cheeses, crooked crackers, and sour grapes, plus a payola bar. The event is free for Museum members. There is no charge for children and teens, ages 18 and under. Admission for all others is $15. For reservations and more information, please call 413.298.4100, ext. 221.
Open Season: A Lecture and Performance Series of Pre-Election Programs
Catch election fever this summer on Thursday evenings at 5:30 p.m. in July and August. The programs are free with Museum admission.
Pneuma Brass Quintet
Thursday, July 3, 5:30 p.m.
Enjoy an evening of patriotic music to kick-off the Independence Day
weekend.
The Naked Campaign with Steve Brodner
Thursday, July 17, 5:30 p.m.
Steve Brodner comments on American politics and the 2008 presidential
campaign from his unique perspective.
Gail Levin: Animating The Naked Campaign
Thursday, July 24, 5:30 p.m.
Emmy Award-winning producer/director Gail Levin discusses her collaboration
with Steve Brodner on "The Naked Campaign."
Political Cartoons: A History of Visual Satire
Thursday, July 31, 5:30 p.m.
Roy Schlemme, cartoonist and illustrator, whose books include "Home Alone 2"
and "Lost in New York," traces the evolution of political cartooning.
Politics Unusual with Alan Chartock
Thursday, August 7, 5:30 p.m.
Dr. Alan Chartock, President and CEO of WAMC/Northeast Public Radio, shares
his lively perspectives on national and regional politics.
The Campaign Trail: Songs with Quintessential
Thursday, August 14, 5:30 p.m.
Quintessential, a Berkshire-based a cappella ensemble, performs songs from
campaign eras past and present.
Gender and Politics in Editorial Cartoons
Thursday, August 21, 5:30 p.m.
Elaine K. Miller, Ph.D., author of "Framing Hillary: Gender Identity in
Editorial Cartoons," discusses gender roles in visual satire.
The Lincoln-Douglas Debate
Thursday, August 28, 5:30 p.m.
This performance recaptures the eloquence of the noted 1858 debates between
Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas regarding slavery.
Norman Rockwell Museum is dedicated to art appreciation and education through new scholarship that illuminates Norman Rockwell's unique contributions to art, society, and popular culture. As a center devoted to the art of illustration, the Museum also exhibits the works of contemporary and past masters in an ongoing series of compelling artist showcases. Previous exhibitions at the Museum have presented the work of Frederic Remington, Charles Schulz, Winslow Homer, Howard Pyle, J.C. Leyendecker, Maxfield Parrish, Rockwell Kent, Al Hirschfeld, Robert Weaver, David Macaulay, James Gurney, and others. Set on a picturesque 36-acre estate in Stockbridge, MA, the hometown of America's favorite artist, the Norman Rockwell Museum is one of the leading arts institutes of the Berkshires.
Norman Rockwell Museum is open daily. General public admission is $12.50 for adults, $7 for students, and free for visitors 18 and under (five per adult). Kids Free Every Day is a gift to families from Country Curtains and the Red Lion Inn. On Wednesdays from November to May, senior citizens are admitted at half-price. The Museum is open daily, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., May through October; from November through April, weekday hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and weekend/holiday hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Gallery tours are available daily, beginning on the hour. Antenna Audio Tour of select paintings from the Museum's permanent Norman Rockwell collection is available. Rockwell's studio, located on the Museum grounds, is open May through October.
For more information, the public is invited to call 413.298.4100, ext. 220. Visit the Museum's Web site at http://www.nrm.org.
