Journalists, Rockers and Cartoonists Draw Humor from Coming Apocalypse

For some Americans, the end of the Mayan calendar and our world's foretold collapse is reason to stockpile canned goods and build shelters; for and Art Soiree, it is an excuse to host a party and showcase some art. At least that is what they did Thursday night in Artisphere's Terrace Gallery.

The party did more than relieve anxieties. It helped jumpstart ApocalypToon 2012, a three-day "pop-up exhibition" celebrating the coming year through the work of a handful of political cartoonists whose work was blown up to atypical proportions and strewn across the gallery walls. Judging by the packed floorspace, and the engaged crowd, opening night was a hit.

The show featured several Washington-based cartoonists as well as a few more distant contributers. Several of the artists were in attendance. Afixed to the walls was the work of Kal from The Economist, Tom Toles of The Washington Post, Jeff Danziger of the Los Angeles Times and Huffington Post, Daryl Cagle of MSNBC, Matt Wuerker of Arlington-based Politico, Damien Glez of La Monde, Couurier International, and La Gazette, Patrick Chappatte of the International Herald Tribune and New York Times, and Dan Piraro of Bizzaro.

Although many guests were excited to meet the renowned editorial cartoonists in the flesh, their art was certainly the main attraction, and most eyes were glued to the walls. And while the artists aren't soothsayers, much of their featured work did adhere loosely to the theme of impending doom. One strip depicted the globe being dragged off a cliff by the American political system, with the Tea Party leading the way. Another piece imagined the 2040 Climate Change Summit at the top of Mount Everest, the rest of the world underwater with only Noah's Ark teetering on a mountain's peak.

Chuckling isn't typical of an art gallery's soundscape, but this night it was infectious and unbriddled. Even in this new and unique setting, and with the borders expanded, no wit nor humor was sacrificed.

But as rib-tickling as the art was, Art Soiree founder and president Sandro Kereselidze hoped viewers would appreciate the work for more than its hilarity.

"These cartoonists are not just jokesters, they're amazing artists," Kereselidze said, "and we wanted to offer a different perspective that highlighted their talent."

The novel concept of mixing gallery walls and political cartoons didn't quite phase Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist Tom Toles.

"It's not the craziest thing I've ever been a part of," Toles said. But he did agree that there's more to his work than humor. "Oftentimes we are trying to make a point. We're reacting to our outrage or frustration. Or we're trying to get people to think about new subjects and topics of importance."

Tole's role in the event was twofold. In addition to his visual art, Tole played drums as part of the event's musical entertainment, "local journo-band" Suspicious Package. The group fit in well at this mashup of politics and art, as the group is comprised of three journalists and two other public servants.

Bassist Tim Burger explained that small-world Beltway connections score the five-piece many of their gigs. "This was a good fit, not only because our drummer is a cartoonist, but our lead guitarist's sister-in-law is helping put this whole thing together." The band plays a lot of private parties, and have hauled their equipment up and down Embassy Row over the years.

Bryan Greene, ryhthm guitarist, explained their repetoire as mostly covers, but varied in inspiration.

"We come from all over the spectrum," he said. And indeed, the group played several different covers: Elvis Costello, The Smiths, The Rolling Stones and others. But, appropriately, the band opened with an original. A little number called "Over the Line," recalling not "The Big Lebowski" but the problems of tackling delicate political topics with charactertures and bubble-encased quotes. Light bulbs flashed, drinks were poured, and the audience seemed to enjoy the sounds nearly as much as the sights.

ApocalypToon 2012 runs through the weekend at Artisphere's Terrace Gallery. It is free and open to the public.