Cartoonmuseum Basel
There is no denying that there is never a dull moment when it comes to watching cartoons or reading comic strips. A powerful tool for storytelling, cartoons are enjoyed by children and adults alike. Whether used as an educational aid or as a medium to communicate a social message, cartoons are not only inspiring but also ignite creativity. Hence, it is no surprise that they are not only extremely popular but ubiquitous too. As an ode to cartoonists all around the world and the awe-inspiring work they do, National Cartoonists Day is celebrated on May 5. And if you are someone who is intrigued by cartoons, the Caricature and Cartoon Museum in Basel must be on your list. The museum, now called the Cartoonmuseum Basel, is a celebration of comics, graphics, caricature and drawings that narrate stories of all kinds. In fact, it is the only Swiss museum dedicated to this narrative art and its compelling display sure forms for an insightful visit.
Versatile Display
Founded by Dieter Burckhardt (1914–1991) who was a native of Basel, the museum was initially opened to showcase Burckhardt’s personal collection of caricatures and cartoons to the public. The museum has been operating in the current location since 1996 and is housed in an old Gothic style building on the historic St. Alban-Vorstadt in Basel. In addition, the museum space is supplemented by a new building designed by Herzog & de Meuron just behind the original building. The museum houses a permanent collection of about 12,000 original works by almost 700 artists from around 40 countries. Most of the artists are from the 20th and 21st centuries and include famous names like George Grosz, Jean-Maurice Bosc, HG Rauch and Paul Flora.
It is key to note that the collection includes a plethora of drawings crafted using a variety of techniques and includes figures with and without text. They narrate stories and messages related to topics spanning daily life, society, culture and politics. From classical to contemporary, the museum has figures drawn in different styles and traditions. It is significant to note that most of these works are digitally inventoried and managed scientifically. The museum has consciously been working on including new artists and encouraging young talent regularly.
Thoughtfully Curated Exhibitions
The focus of the museum is currently on specially curated exhibitions that run for a specific time period. Currently the museum is showcasing the work of famous Swiss artist Thomas Ott who is known for his drawings created using the scratchboard technique. The latter involves literally scratching multiple layers of black ink with a specially made Japanese cutter, which incidentally is Ott’s main tool. This results in a black-heavy visual language that is characteristic of Ott’s works. Further, this lends a distinctive character to his macabre stories that have an element of dark humor in them. Ott has also produced animated films apart from comic book albums and the exhibition displays all of his original works including those from his comic albums, films as well as the objects that inspire him.
Noteworthy is the display related to “The Forest” which is a heart-rending depiction of death and grief portrayed by a little boy who has lost his loving grandfather. The picture book released in 2021 is replete with emotions related to farewell and sorrow where Ott likens the grief-stricken world of the boy to an ethereal, symbolically exaggerated forest. The images are tranquil yet haunting capturing these varied emotions beautifully.
Engaging Display
The exhibition is a comprehensive display of decades of Ott’s works and showcases how his scratchboard works combine a dark, film-inspired visual language with nightmarish stories to create a distinctive blend. All works on display reveal Ott’s classic balance between darkness and sarcasm and between tragedy and comedy. The drawings are complemented by information boards that describe the journey of Ott and his works including comic books and films. Incidentally, the latter was a great source of inspiration for the artist and always fascinated him.
Arguably the highlight of the exhibition is the recreation of Ott’s most successful installation, the “La Grande Famiglia” or The Grand Family which is all about a miserable Mafia clan whose members have all passed away except Marcello, the sole survivor who lives in a slovenly, unkempt, dingy room. With portraits of dead relatives on the walls, the room is filled with decorative kitsch like artefacts and souvenirs. The neglected state is so perfectly captured that one can almost feel the stench of stale food and dirty linen while viewing the installation!
The museum also has events and workshops related to the exhibitions on a regular basis. While Ott’s works are on display till June 22 this year, the work of American cartoonist Alison Bechdel is slated for display from July 5 through to October 26 2025. Before you leave the museum, do not forget to visit the library which houses a treasure trove of books related to cartoons and cartoonists. The souvenir shops also has a number of prints on sale in case you are looking to pick up art as a gift.
