PostPoems Be Artistic. Be Creative. Be Inspired!

I have a fondness for cartoons and art books.  I like to include modern artists and cartoonists in my collection when possible.  One artist that has always made the cut for me is R. Crumb.   R. Crumb has always had a unique view of the world.  He came to fame as a cartoonist in the 60s.  He hated rock and roll.  He also has a disdain for the over commercialization of society.  His views on sexuality and relationships can also be a bit twisted.

I think most people will find something about Crumb to dislike.  He is very opinionated and has a very narrow view of the world.  I often think he would be well served by some time lying on the couch.  However, he also has a true gift when it comes to art.  His cartoons are usually provocative and intriguing.  I have also found much of his work to be quite amusing. 

A recent addition to my personal library is R. Crumb's America.  This book is Crumb's take on his homeland.  It was originally published in 1995 although some of the work dates as far back as 1967.  Of course, this book does include a brief Mr. Natural appearance so some classics do get revisited.  We also get appearances from Salty Dog, Whiteman and The Rough Tough Cream Puffs. 

The book begins with a cartoon called Let's Talk About This Here Modern America.  Crumb paints a rather scathing picture.  He despised big business but had little use for hippies.  He disliked prudes although he never could embrace hippie culture.  He is a crank who whines about the good old days.  He puts forward the view that America has lost her way.  He hates motorcycles.  He hates “obnoxious, contrived music for the spoiled brats of modern America.”  Crumb is a cantankerous old man.  Funny thing is, he was a cantankerous old man long before he actually got old.

Crumb takes a dim view of the wastefulness in current society.  He rips this disposable culture apart in Trash What Do We Throw Away?  He also is disgruntled with our obsession with the Space program although we haven't learned to live with each other here on Earth.  Both liberals and conservatives get skewered by Crumb. He writes in one frame “Don't be duped by foolish Buck Rogers dreams of glorious adventures among the planets!! 

One should be forewarned that Crumb has never adhered to any notion of political correctness.  Some of his cartoons can be rather crude and explicit.  Crumb's depiction of sexual acts can be offputting and compelling at the same time.  I guess we all feel the need to look at the carnage from a train wreck.

He also runs the risk of offending various ethnic groups.  I don't think Crumb's intent is racist or anti-Semitic.  I think he is merely playing on many of the paranoid bigotries that continue to permeate in our society.  I also think he’s trying to make a statement about the paranoia experienced by a lot of white folk.  Still, don't expect Crumb to soften the terminology or the imagery.  And his pieces on what happens when different ethnic groups take over the world are not likely to be viewed kindly by members of those individual groups.

I still find Crumb to be an intriguing artist although I disagree with many of his beliefs.  I find his artwork to be compelling.  I also think that he is very funny in many of his cartoons.  I wouldn't recommend this for P.C. thinkers or the easily offended.  This is a book for those who want a lot of edge on their cartoon humor.  I think Crumb fans will need this one.  I also think it will serve as a good introduction to Crumb's work for the new fan.