“Shocking must serve a cause, not just hurt people”: press cartoons debated with graphic design students in Montpellier

Alain Peticlerc, the professor in front of his students for a course on press cartooning. Midi Libre – GIACOMO ITALIANO

A drawing on a current topic, that's the course of the day. Midi Libre – GIACOMO ITALIANO

Le sort des femmes iraniennes, le choix de Lisa. Midi Libre – GIACOMO ITALIANO

Charlie Hebdo qui sert de support à la réflexion. Midi Libre – GIACOMO ITALIANO

À l’école Brassart, une trentaine d’étudiants en design graphique ont débattu des limites du dessin de presse, dix ans après les attentats de Charlie Hebdo.

At the Brassart graphic design school, located in the Odysseum district, there was no question of commemorating or even paying tribute to the Charlie Hebdo attacks. But there was a course on press cartooning given by Professor Alain Petitclerc. His students are graphic design students aged between 19 and 24. Few intend to embrace the profession of press cartoonist, except Ayman who timidly admits to being tempted.

On the bass of the press, bought that morning, the professor nevertheless opens the debate to evoke the terrible attacks whose 10th anniversary we are celebrating this Tuesday, January 7. The opportunity to talk about caricatures, the right to blasphemy, limits, freedom of expression…

“It bothers me”

For this generation, which was about ten years old at the time of the carnage, memories are confused. They know the essential: two armed brothers, twelve people murdered, millions of people in the street… The debate is launched. “No, we don't kill for a drawing” , says a student. But, against all expectations, Lisa quickly dynamites the discussion by referring to a recent Charlie Hebdo front page that caused controversy. She shows Gisèle Pélicot making her Christmas tree with testicles as Christmas baubles: “It bothers me, it doesn't make me laugh. People make fun of Gisèle more than they make fun of rapists”, the student defends herself.

The debate changes tone: “Everyone has their own sense of humor”, “it's the promotion of rape culture”, “all drawing, like all art, is political”, “Charlie Hebdo really hits out at minorities and that contributes to trivialization”, “trash has become the standard”…Merlin, Noé, Geneviève, Lizzie, Basile… take turns entering the fray. Each with their own arguments. They outline the contours of their freedom of expression. And yes, there are limits, according to them. Particularly those imposed, sometimes, by their teachers…

“A drawing must be funny…”

“Shocking makes you think”, Alain Peticlerc tries to revive the spirits. In practice, the teacher had asked them to draw a press cartoon on a current topic. One group focused on Donald Trump. A drawing was made about her desire to end transgender people, another about annexing Canada… Lisa chose the fate reserved for Iranian women.

No one wanted to draw the tragedy of Gaza: “A drawing must be funny and there is no laughing matter”, justifies a student. And then in conclusion: “Okay to shock, but it must have its reason for being, that it serves a cause, not just to hurt people”… Honor is safe.

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