Editorial cartoons and visual culture: a look over brazilian cities issues through arquitetura magazine, 1961-1968

Abstract

To begin with, this article defines the concept of “Visual Culture” as an attribution of meanings to images through a cultural perspective, and soon afterward it relates such concept with editorial cartoons and caricatures. Then it enters on a more specific analysis, having as a case of study the magazine entitled Arquitetura, the official publication of the Institute of Architects of Brazil from 1961 to 1968. The use of such type of drawings can be understood as an attempt to raise awareness of the professionals regarding their social responsibilities, elaborating relevant criticism about urbanism, urban planning, and social housing - among many other topics. The analysis of Arquitetura’s editorial cartoons reveals the periodical’s concern about Brazilian cities’ transformations and, moreover, allows us to reflect upon how many of the issues presented fifty years ago are still common in our cities.