 |
| 1935-2023 |
It would be a mistake to call illustrator Bruce McCall, who died this past Friday, a Luddite simply because he spent so much of his time and his talent poking fun at science and technology and what the future holds for both. For one thing, the science and technology he usually made light of wasn't the Apple/Google/Microsoft digitalized artificial intelligence variety that naysayers warn will very soon suck all of humanity into some sort of "singularity". In fact, McCall seemed less interested in the future we're told to expect and more interested in the future we were told to expect, but expect no more, taking as his satirical inspiration everything from the 1939 New York's World Fair to 1950s sci-fi drive-in movies to the gloriously illustrated automobile advertising that dominated glossy magazines in the middle decades of the 20th century until some Madison Avenue genius figured out it was just as easy, maybe even easier, to photograph a car as to draw one. But why make fun of a past vision of the future that never panned out? Perhaps it was McCall's way of reminding us that out present vision of the future, for better or worse, may be as equally pan-resistance. For now, just sit back and enjoy this collection of art, mostly from The New Yorker, but with a few examples from the National Lampoon as well, and observe how deftly McCall brings past, present, and future together, only to pull them all apart again. No singularity has ever been more pluralistic:
Ah, but a man's reach should exceed his grasp, or what's a heaven for?
--Robert Browning
“A man can work from sun to sun, but The Reaper's work is never done.” - Shady Del Knight
ReplyDeleteHi, Kirk!
I do not know illustrator Bruce McCall by name, but I recognize his style and social commentary. In the first cover you displayed, the issue of the New Yorker magazine published in July, 2001, it was creepy to see people flocking to New York's JFK Int'l Airport and observe a jetliner soaring overhead knowing that two months later the city would suffer a devastating attack by terrorist hijackers. I like the illustration of the ice fisherman alone on the rink at Madison Square Garden, the flying cars at the toll gate, spectators leaning in formation as they watch a sailing competition while the dog remains perfectly upright, the golfer chipping out "from the rough," the sea of skyscraper rooftops reimagined as a scrabble board, the zeppelin shoot, pterodactyls hatching from a prehistoric egg exhibit at the museum, the whale used as a billboard, compact car stowed in an overhead compartment on a plane and "lobster feast." All of the McCall covers you showed us are amazing. Many of them remind us that overcrowded cities and long waits in line have undermined the quality of life for all but the rich and famous who cruise high above the chaos in their private jets.
Thanks for paying tribute to the great illustrator Bruce McCall who would have celebrated his 88th birthday two days ago. Have a nice weekend, good buddy Kirk!
Shady, though he never worked for an ad agency, Bruce McCall based his style on the advertising art of the 1920s, '30s, '40s, and '50s. If you ever get a chance to flip through a magazine from that time period and can overlook the fact that it's basically capitalists trying to separate your parents and grandparents from their hard-earned paychecks, you'll find such art is often truly stunning, though of course it lacks, as you said, McCall's social commentary.
DeleteA unique view of things, that's for sure!
ReplyDeleteDebra, if he didn't have such a view, I would have just as soon done a post on Jacqueline Zemen (may she rest in peace) instead.
DeleteNO!!! Bobbie Spencer also had a date with The Reaper??? I didn't know about her death either, Kirk. That one hurts, because Bobbie was a great character that I watched for years and years on GH. Jackie Z was married to Murray The K, the famous DJ and promoter of the boomer years. Age 70 is too young for Jackie to leave us, and I just read that Jackie's close friend, Shell Kepler, the actress who played Amy Vining, another GH character I watched and loved for years, died way back in 2008 at age 49, and that Jackie delivered her eulogy. Please, Mr. Reaper - ENOUGH ALREADY!
DeleteShady, I watched GH back in the 1980s and into the '90s, so I know all those actors and characters from that time period. In 1981 I went to see Jackie Zemen at a now-defunct department store in a now defunct mall. I got her autograph which I've since lost. Very friendly, and more petite than she looked on television. She wasn't even yet 30. Of course, everyone were asking her more questions about Luke and Laura than her own character, and she answered such questions graciously.
DeleteEveryone WAS asking her.
DeleteIt doesn't surprise me one bit that Jackie was a kind, generous and gracious person IRL.
DeleteHere's Blackie's tribute: "I am deeply saddened to hear about the passing of the talented and beloved actress, @jacklyn.zeman I recall the wonderful times we spent working together on General Hospital. Her warm personality and infectious energy always brightened my day. Jackie will forever hold a special place in my heart, and her memory will continue to inspire me. XO" - John Stamos
And here's what Dr. Noah Drake expressed: “Incredibly stunned and brokenhearted to hear of Jackie’s passing. Such a truly kind soul with no touch of the diva and only sweet things to say about everyone. She was the one, along with Gloria Monty, who helped launch my ’80s career when after the screen test along with several other hopeful young men. Gloria asked Jackie who she thought would make a good Noah Drake and God bless her if Jackie didn’t say me. Love to your spirit as it ascends, sweet girl. You left your mark on many of us and you will not be forgotten.” - Rick Springfield
Obviously, Jackie left her mark on me as well because I am genuinely down in the dumps over her passing, good buddy.
I loved how he looked at the world. His illustrations drew me into fantasy worlds. Genius.
ReplyDeleteBut not pure fantasy, Mitchell. It was a fantasy world informed by the real world (as well as real-world advertising) and that's where his genius (and his satire) lie.
Delete