The days of the political cartoonist appear to be in jeopardy, political novels are now little more than self-congratulatory screeds or hit jobs against opponents. Gone are the days of Victor Hugo’s subtlety. But political art is making a comeback with one man at the helm.
British polemicist Paul Joseph Watson has long been known for his face-to-camera dissections of liberal Shibboleths. But this year, he released a series of videos to YouTube that are equal parts jarring in their presentation and wonderous in their storytelling. The Modernity series uses clips, music, images, headlines, and social media excerpts to present a compelling and damning narrative that fires the mind in such a way that it begs the question: Why isn’t everyone doing this?
There are a number of pop culture references that many of us will not get, and the automated voice feature can seem interruptive at times, but the powerful craftsmanship and delivery create something that can only be described as artful.
The series addresses modern culture, the failings of our Fourth Estate, and more generally, the rot deep in the heart of the cultural battle. It is almost a scrapbooking exercise in digital form.
Ranging from 12 to 15 minutes each, the first four parts of Modernity are bringing new art to an arena that seems staler by the day.
