This weekend, Parsons The New School for Design presents its second annual Illustration Symposium. On Saturday, starting at 3:00 pm, "Illustration in the Age of Anxiety" will address how the current cultural climate is affecting the field of illustration, through conversations with noted artists and writers. The program is free and open to the public.

I called Parsons Illustration Chair Steven Guarnaccia yesterday to ask him how the program came about. He replied, "One of the reasons for bringing artists and the audience they serve together is to show the general public that what they consume on a daily basis is created by highly trained artists, and that illustration is a smart and vital discipline."

"Since the 1930s," he continued, "the institution, originally called The New School for Social Research, was dedicated to social engagement. Today we are again looking at art and design from a more intellectual point of view. As well as making sure that we are teaching illustrators and fine artists all the technical aspects of their art, we want to get them to think critically and to think and act in a socially engaged manner."

Illustrations, left to right above, by: Ed Koren, Ed Sorel, Ben Katchor, Ruth Marten, and Tara McPherson. Courtesy of Parsons The New School for Design.

The program will be introduced by Illustration Associate Professor Nora Krug. The first talk, "Shakey Line, Shakey Times," will feature master satirical illustrators Ed Koren and Ed Sorel in conversation with Illustration Associate Professor Dan Nadel. "Gifted illustrators, like Ed Koren and Ed Sorel," said Dan in a phone conversation yesterday, "make complex images that can render all kinds of metaphorical ideas that take the cultural temperature of the time."

Next up is "Reading in Public," a talk with graphic novelist and MacArthur Fellow Ben Katchor, who recently joined the Parsons faculty as Illustration Associate Professor. "He will explore the idea of the public library reading room as a refuge, in response to the anxiety of parents who want a safe place to shelter their kids from the lurid magazine cover images that wallpaper neighborhood news stands," said Steve.

"A Light in the Dark" will feature illustrator-tattoo artist Ruth Marten and pop-gothic artist Tara McPherson in conversation with Steve. "We wanted to discuss the topic of anxiety about body image, which is so prevalent today," he said. "I invited two artists who, in terms of technique are traditionalists, but who deal with some very dark subject matter."

The mini-symposium was designed to offer "an ongoing discussion forum that goes beyond strictly professional concerns," said Dan. "Through this format, we can address history, theory, and contemporary practices in a lively way within the context of this wonderful institution, which is strongly committed to supporting illustration."

"Illustration in the Age of Anxiety" will take place on November 10 at The Theresa Lang Community and Student Center, The New School, 55 West 13^th Street, 2^nd floor, from 3:00 to 7:00 pm. For more information please visit the website or 212-229-8919.