Chinese Cartoonists at the House of Cartoon in Iran - November 19, 2002

As the world observes fundamental changes in the leadership of the Communist Party of China, several contemporary cartoonists from that country have displayed their works at the House of Cartoon in Iran. This exhibition, which runs from November 12 to 20, features 36 pieces of artwork, primarily in color, by Chinese cartoonists. Previously, several foreign artists, some of whom are notable figures, have also showcased their cartoons at the House of Cartoon gallery. In this exhibition, artist Hong Shunhai depicts a tank that has halted in front of an Indian man playing a flute. Interestingly, instead of a cobra, the tank's barrel dances to the tune of the instrument. Shunhai also illustrates a knife, which upon closer inspection reveals that its sharp part is a red tongue instead of a metal blade. The tongue drips water and seems ready to cut something, symbolizing that what it cuts are the words and opinions of others. Another artist, Zhang Jia, portrays illegal travelers, possibly refugees, who have taken their feet out of a shabby boat on the beach. They sneakily and comically enter foreign territory in front of coast guard officers who are checking legal travelers. In another cartoon, Zhang depicts a very disturbing scene where men, women, and even children wear smiling masks and pass indifferently by each other. Among them, a man without a smiling mask is arrested by two police officers. Da Abiyu Ang illustrates headless soldiers who, under the command of their own headless leader, send a bewildered man to the guillotine. The blood spilled on the guillotine and the heads fallen on the ground suggest that the headless ones never want anyone's head to remain on their body. The exhibition draws attention to the issue of detaining and imprisoning different individuals in society alongside other cartoons addressing the everyday life of people. In a society that has not forgotten the massacre of students in Tiananmen Square and the recent detentions of Falun Gong members, creating such works may not be out of place. Meanwhile, during the days of this exhibition in Tehran, Hu Jintao, the new leader of the Communist Party of China, emphasizes a stronger commitment to opening up the economic space of the country than Jiang Zemin did. It remains to be seen whether democracy and human rights, which are felt to be needed in the Chinese cartoons, will again be left waiting behind the open doors of the economy.