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What’s Wrong With Today’s Society Captured In 58 Though-Provoking Illustrations By Al Margen
We all know that nothing is perfect. Our modern society included. Many things are problematic and troubling, and even though we notice them, we are not too fast to work on fixing pressing social issues.
Al Margen, an illustrator from Buenos Aires, Argentina, creates depressing drawings pinpointing the world problems of our times. He creates dark drawings that are sometimes louder than words and are extremely thought-provoking. The author himself is very critical about his works and talks about them in a really artistic manner: "They are children of boredom, nonconformity or anger. <...> They are the representation of discarded ideas. They are the garbage of the subconscious. But they are more visceral and sincere than other sad drawings because they have no obligation to please. <...> Because they were born only by an impulse and nothing more. Because they were born to annoy because they show the problems with society."
Take a look at some of his satirical works on social problems below and let us know which one was your favorite.
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What do you think ?
Squeaky Balls 7 years ago
"What's wrong with today's society". Are you kidding? This has been around since the dawn of man. Parents arguing in front of their kids? People lying to others? Smoking is bad? If you think working 9-5 in a computer chair sucks, then imagine working five in the morning until seven at night in a coal mine during the 1800's with no safety regulations. Oh yeah #5? What's that about? Going to college destroys ideas? Nah going to college is a means of expanding your knowledge in a particular field. /rant
Sheralyn 7 years ago
Exactly. It should be "What's wrong with an industrialised society".
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Greg Peterrson 7 years ago
Almost as boring as complaints about pessimism.
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Caroline-Lily Crompton-Griffith 7 years ago
The author needs a little introspection regarding his view towards women as it has delivered another of society's failings--a deeply sexist and misogynist view of women. All women in his art are depicted as sexual objects or in the domestic sphere. He has eliminated them from all other aspects of life. This is deeply troubling and shows a severe disconnect with reality, illustrating that his illustrations deeply lack verifiable evidence of the world's problems.
Sherlock Holmes 7 years ago
If Bored Panda has an article titled "Satirical Cartoons show what's wrong w/society", its gonna be a bunch of pessimistic BS. Trust me.
Batya Livni 7 years ago
This disgusts me. People should try to see the good in the world. We should be aware of the bad things but there cartoons make it seem like that's all there is.
Sheralyn 7 years ago
Yup artistically, it's always easier to provoke emotion and thinking with sad and depressing imagery. It's harder to do so with happiness and joy. Why do you think Oscars and all other similar artistic awards are won vast majority of the time on the back of tragic imagery? Haha.
Load More Replies... Morsa 7 years ago
I didn't see much of society, at-large, here. The drawings are hugely autobiographical. The artist is steeped in contempt, contempt for education, women, the family unit and mental health treatment. He seems to be aware of some social ills, but still trapped in those same tired conventions. I did enjoy the one linking the parasitic relationship between the courts, law enforcement and the criminals.
It was Mark! 7 years ago
I feel like art captures emotions, be it in music or any other form of art. Your simply relate or you don't. This artist is amazingly talented and gets his message across. Job well done
Seong Jin 7 years ago
I think that there are too many series titled "What's Wrong With Society" basically this is just complaining through drawings. What we really need are series titled "What We Can Do to Make Society Better". Something that will motivate people to make a change rather than just sitting around knowing that people suck.
DeJeri Young 5 years ago (edited)
I remember when I studied in Spain back in 2000 I participated in group meetings with Libertarian Anarchists. There was a magazine called Al Margen and I believe that all of the artwork in it was showcased from this particular artist. I found one of the old magazines, and a flyer from an Anarchist book fair that I attended. He's truly talented and I believe the artwork is meant to express his political views. He's from Argentina I believe. There are a bunch of snarky comments regarding his work....I'd love to see those people who have so many negative opinions artwork displayed...Oh wait!!!
Conway Redding 7 years ago
All of them are thought-provoking, some of them with a clear anti-technology and anti-education bias, but my favorite is the one of the man lighting the fuse to the bomb in his chest.
Daniel Marsh 7 years ago
Smoking is bad... Selfies mean a lot of people look at you... talking heads on TV hurt your brain... sleeping recharges your batteries.... These are hardly novel insights. (I'll admit that I don't quite get #9... I do rather like the child as an ear.)
Pamela Lopez Wade 7 years ago
I found it reflective of today's society and a bit sexist ( society still is LOL) every illustration told a story with many textures.
Jeannette Gillert 7 years ago
Really very provocative, the best I like the picture with the model
Jesse Short 7 years ago
Though-Provoking? Please learn to proofread before posting. I'm not sure what "though-provoking" actually means. "Thought-Provoking," though, makes more sense.
Angie Steele 7 years ago
The only one he missed is a complementary photo for the one with the woman climbing the money mountain to the man's crotch. It's counterpoint could depict the issue of male sexualization of the female body, as I noticed female sexualization of the male body is the only one of the two illustrated here. It could include elements of the pressure males put on females to take their clothes off for those booty selfies...I mean, they aren't taking them for ME because I'm not one of the hundreds of thirsty men who inevitably express their undying love for a set of boobs that ANYONE can buy, but only a select few are willing to reveal to the world.
John Imlay 7 years ago
Fantastic art...deep in some, dark in others; was very reflective & true! Artist was magnifico
Matthew Bizzarri 7 years ago
Um, huh? I kind of got the reference with the girl taking a picture, but I was lost on all the others. Maybe have an explanation below them for those of us blind to thinking non linearly? Then again, interpreting art is my weak spot. As a technical person, I don't get art, but I appreciate it. Expecting me to understand this would be the same as expecting an artist to know how to fix a car.
Anders Sutherland 7 years ago
Honestly, I think it's pathetic that the author didn't even take the time to spell-check the article title.
Caroline-Lily Crompton-Griffith 7 years ago
I think the artist needs to contemplate his attitudes towards women as part of "what is deeply wrong with today's society" and that is a sexist and misogynist image of women. All women in these painting are depicted only as sexual objects or in the domestic sphere. It illustrates a deep lack of awareness that is positively disgusting and a failure on the artist's part to provide a veritable social commentary.
Scott Davis 7 years ago
#10 is an agenda packed one, so I think it's more of smoke and mirrors than thought provoking But the rest were though. I actually missed the message in #9
Alap Naik Desai 7 years ago
These creations become WAY MORE Graphic once the sad & horrifying truth behind them presents itself.
Karim Ghantous 7 years ago
Which ones described pathological altruism, obesity worship, cultural Marxism and modern feminism? I couldn't find those.
Nicole Henson 7 years ago
Everyone claiming that these are "so deep" lol this barely scratches the surface area of greed and corruption within any structural society. These are a tired display of what most informed citizens have thought since they first began learning about their government
Peter Brand 7 years ago
Ironically, no-one noticed the spelling mistake in "Though-provoking" in the headline. Unless the article was supposed to provoke though's.
Alan Harwood 7 years ago
8 is a good reflection on today's thinking, ignoring the beautiful cheetah to take a selfi....need to show this to my daughter.
Stephen Bales 7 years ago
Tocqueville's "democratic art." Art used to have quality. Standards. It was about the celebration of the beautiful or, at the very least, the genuinely visually pleasing. We no longer have standards. Now, you get THESE piles of nothing. They claim to be thought provoking, but they are anything but. They make statements that everyone over the age of, say, 11, knows for certain. Not that classical or traditional artists NEVER made statements with their art, but it was never at the expense of beauty or quality. These have no statement worth making that hasn't already been made ad nauseam, and no beauty. Zero stars.
Roger Hammack 7 years ago
“Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof: I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you. Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me: For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD: They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof. Therefore shall THEY EAT OF THE FRUIT OF THEIR OWN WAY, AND BE FILLED WITH THEIR OWN DEVISES. For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.” [Prov 1:24-32]
Jami Russell 7 years ago
Nothing about this is really anything new or thought provoking. And a lot are that pretentiously pathetic "Fire bad, technology evil, Tesla was a witch*" c**p. Only losers draw that sort of stuff. *Yes, I know it's supposed to go "Edison was a witch" but Edison stole a lot of his ideas from people like Tesla, so I'm correcting the quote.
Miklós Nagy 7 years ago
If for nothing else, it deserves an upvote for not using the facebook cliché again.
Kane Cheung 7 years ago
These are frigging amazing. Not sure if it's the nostalgia thinking, but this type of commentary/confrontational art felt like was fairly common in the 90s and probably 70s. Feels like there is less of it now or maybe it's being drowned out by mainstream ideas.
Squeaky Balls 7 years ago
"What's wrong with today's society". Are you kidding? This has been around since the dawn of man. Parents arguing in front of their kids? People lying to others? Smoking is bad? If you think working 9-5 in a computer chair sucks, then imagine working five in the morning until seven at night in a coal mine during the 1800's with no safety regulations. Oh yeah #5? What's that about? Going to college destroys ideas? Nah going to college is a means of expanding your knowledge in a particular field. /rant
Sheralyn 7 years ago
Exactly. It should be "What's wrong with an industrialised society".
Load More Replies... Greg Peterrson 7 years ago
Almost as boring as complaints about pessimism.
Load More Replies... Caroline-Lily Crompton-Griffith 7 years ago
The author needs a little introspection regarding his view towards women as it has delivered another of society's failings--a deeply sexist and misogynist view of women. All women in his art are depicted as sexual objects or in the domestic sphere. He has eliminated them from all other aspects of life. This is deeply troubling and shows a severe disconnect with reality, illustrating that his illustrations deeply lack verifiable evidence of the world's problems.
Sherlock Holmes 7 years ago
If Bored Panda has an article titled "Satirical Cartoons show what's wrong w/society", its gonna be a bunch of pessimistic BS. Trust me.
Batya Livni 7 years ago
This disgusts me. People should try to see the good in the world. We should be aware of the bad things but there cartoons make it seem like that's all there is.
Sheralyn 7 years ago
Yup artistically, it's always easier to provoke emotion and thinking with sad and depressing imagery. It's harder to do so with happiness and joy. Why do you think Oscars and all other similar artistic awards are won vast majority of the time on the back of tragic imagery? Haha.
Load More Replies... Morsa 7 years ago
I didn't see much of society, at-large, here. The drawings are hugely autobiographical. The artist is steeped in contempt, contempt for education, women, the family unit and mental health treatment. He seems to be aware of some social ills, but still trapped in those same tired conventions. I did enjoy the one linking the parasitic relationship between the courts, law enforcement and the criminals.
It was Mark! 7 years ago
I feel like art captures emotions, be it in music or any other form of art. Your simply relate or you don't. This artist is amazingly talented and gets his message across. Job well done
Seong Jin 7 years ago
I think that there are too many series titled "What's Wrong With Society" basically this is just complaining through drawings. What we really need are series titled "What We Can Do to Make Society Better". Something that will motivate people to make a change rather than just sitting around knowing that people suck.
DeJeri Young 5 years ago (edited)
I remember when I studied in Spain back in 2000 I participated in group meetings with Libertarian Anarchists. There was a magazine called Al Margen and I believe that all of the artwork in it was showcased from this particular artist. I found one of the old magazines, and a flyer from an Anarchist book fair that I attended. He's truly talented and I believe the artwork is meant to express his political views. He's from Argentina I believe. There are a bunch of snarky comments regarding his work....I'd love to see those people who have so many negative opinions artwork displayed...Oh wait!!!
Conway Redding 7 years ago
All of them are thought-provoking, some of them with a clear anti-technology and anti-education bias, but my favorite is the one of the man lighting the fuse to the bomb in his chest.
Daniel Marsh 7 years ago
Smoking is bad... Selfies mean a lot of people look at you... talking heads on TV hurt your brain... sleeping recharges your batteries.... These are hardly novel insights. (I'll admit that I don't quite get #9... I do rather like the child as an ear.)
Pamela Lopez Wade 7 years ago
I found it reflective of today's society and a bit sexist ( society still is LOL) every illustration told a story with many textures.
Jeannette Gillert 7 years ago
Really very provocative, the best I like the picture with the model
Jesse Short 7 years ago
Though-Provoking? Please learn to proofread before posting. I'm not sure what "though-provoking" actually means. "Thought-Provoking," though, makes more sense.
Angie Steele 7 years ago
The only one he missed is a complementary photo for the one with the woman climbing the money mountain to the man's crotch. It's counterpoint could depict the issue of male sexualization of the female body, as I noticed female sexualization of the male body is the only one of the two illustrated here. It could include elements of the pressure males put on females to take their clothes off for those booty selfies...I mean, they aren't taking them for ME because I'm not one of the hundreds of thirsty men who inevitably express their undying love for a set of boobs that ANYONE can buy, but only a select few are willing to reveal to the world.
John Imlay 7 years ago
Fantastic art...deep in some, dark in others; was very reflective & true! Artist was magnifico
Matthew Bizzarri 7 years ago
Um, huh? I kind of got the reference with the girl taking a picture, but I was lost on all the others. Maybe have an explanation below them for those of us blind to thinking non linearly? Then again, interpreting art is my weak spot. As a technical person, I don't get art, but I appreciate it. Expecting me to understand this would be the same as expecting an artist to know how to fix a car.
Anders Sutherland 7 years ago
Honestly, I think it's pathetic that the author didn't even take the time to spell-check the article title.
Caroline-Lily Crompton-Griffith 7 years ago
I think the artist needs to contemplate his attitudes towards women as part of "what is deeply wrong with today's society" and that is a sexist and misogynist image of women. All women in these painting are depicted only as sexual objects or in the domestic sphere. It illustrates a deep lack of awareness that is positively disgusting and a failure on the artist's part to provide a veritable social commentary.
Scott Davis 7 years ago
#10 is an agenda packed one, so I think it's more of smoke and mirrors than thought provoking But the rest were though. I actually missed the message in #9
Alap Naik Desai 7 years ago
These creations become WAY MORE Graphic once the sad & horrifying truth behind them presents itself.
Karim Ghantous 7 years ago
Which ones described pathological altruism, obesity worship, cultural Marxism and modern feminism? I couldn't find those.
Nicole Henson 7 years ago
Everyone claiming that these are "so deep" lol this barely scratches the surface area of greed and corruption within any structural society. These are a tired display of what most informed citizens have thought since they first began learning about their government
Peter Brand 7 years ago
Ironically, no-one noticed the spelling mistake in "Though-provoking" in the headline. Unless the article was supposed to provoke though's.
Alan Harwood 7 years ago
8 is a good reflection on today's thinking, ignoring the beautiful cheetah to take a selfi....need to show this to my daughter.
Stephen Bales 7 years ago
Tocqueville's "democratic art." Art used to have quality. Standards. It was about the celebration of the beautiful or, at the very least, the genuinely visually pleasing. We no longer have standards. Now, you get THESE piles of nothing. They claim to be thought provoking, but they are anything but. They make statements that everyone over the age of, say, 11, knows for certain. Not that classical or traditional artists NEVER made statements with their art, but it was never at the expense of beauty or quality. These have no statement worth making that hasn't already been made ad nauseam, and no beauty. Zero stars.
Roger Hammack 7 years ago
“Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof: I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you. Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me: For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD: They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof. Therefore shall THEY EAT OF THE FRUIT OF THEIR OWN WAY, AND BE FILLED WITH THEIR OWN DEVISES. For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.” [Prov 1:24-32]
Jami Russell 7 years ago
Nothing about this is really anything new or thought provoking. And a lot are that pretentiously pathetic "Fire bad, technology evil, Tesla was a witch*" c**p. Only losers draw that sort of stuff. *Yes, I know it's supposed to go "Edison was a witch" but Edison stole a lot of his ideas from people like Tesla, so I'm correcting the quote.
Miklós Nagy 7 years ago
If for nothing else, it deserves an upvote for not using the facebook cliché again.
Kane Cheung 7 years ago
These are frigging amazing. Not sure if it's the nostalgia thinking, but this type of commentary/confrontational art felt like was fairly common in the 90s and probably 70s. Feels like there is less of it now or maybe it's being drowned out by mainstream ideas.
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