Art isn't created just to please our eyes; it also transfers ideas and provokes thought on social problems. Austrian cartoonist Gerhard Haderer has been producing satirical illustrations and cartoons for adults for decades now, highlighting the awful problems with society.
Gerhard Haderer had even faced the court for one of his brutally honest books, The Life of Jesus. It triggered violent reactions, because of the society problems discussed in it, in Europe, especially from the Catholic Church. The story culminated in 2005 when Haderer was convicted in Greece for insulting the religious community and was given a six-month suspended sentence in absentia. A few months later, however, this verdict was corrected on appeal, and Gerhard Haderer was acquitted.
The artist developed his realistic style when working as a graphic designer and illustrator for advertising agencies early in his career. It wasn't until a cancer operation in 1985 when Gerhard abandoned his commercial dreams and became a freelance caricaturist and satirical illustrator, mainly focusing on social issues. Scroll down to check out his unsettling and at times scary cartoons and vote for your favorites.
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this happens so much at live concerts, just put the damn phone down and enjoy the experience!
I see this comment a lot. Quite honestly, I don't mind other people taking pictures, or filming. I'm the one who cares about enjoying my experience. Also, I went to a concert some weeks back, my first one, and I did take pictures. The music was too loud for me really to enjoy it. Taking a few pictures and saving them - I generally enjoy remembering things so much more than actually experiencing them. And despite taking pictures, I'm still in the moment! I'm not zoning out, or thinking about how I'm going to arrange them in my journal. Why wouldn't you take a picture of a pretty sunset -especially if you're interested in photography, or even if you simply like pretty pictures? It only takes you a handful of second to take it. You are still experiencing it. I feel like people are complaining more about the over-sharing of these images, rather than the people «not enjoying their experiences'. That's a whole 'nother discussion.
Load More Replies...How did all the photographers manage to get the other cellphones out of their frame?!?
A couple of pictures would not bother me. But constantly taking pictures or filming does, especially when it is in my view like 2 weeks ago at a Cirque du Soleil show. Everyone was allowed to take pictures, but not film. And this woman 1 seat to the left in front of me was constantly filming. It was pretty annoying. We were sitting in a wheelchair area (with seats in front, but it was not all sold out, and no one sat in these chairs). So in the break my partner and I asked the staff (who bring people to their places) if we could sit next to the chairs in front (well, me next to the chairs, my partner on a chair on the outside). When we sat there, that lady came up to us asking if we could move. We said no, and we weren't allowed to. That was the only spot we could sit said the staff.
So we just told her no, we are only allowed to sit in this seat (and next to it) according to the staff. She complained to us that she would not be able to see anything. (what if it was sold out and the seats in front of us were filled? Would she have complained too? She was already sitting at the end of the row) If she just moved herself to the spot we were previously sitting in, she would have “seen” the show perfectly, if this was really the case, so I ask myself why she did not do that. But my guess is that she only complained because she could not film the whole thing anymore. Which she was doing in smaller parts and looking to make sure staff did not see her film. Things like that, and constantly photographing really don’t let you enjoy the experience. Especially in this case because she was also watching if the staff did not see her film. So with my good heart, I hope she DID enjoy the second half of the show!
Load More Replies...Honestly, I don't see what's wrong with this. You go out into nature; obviously you enjoy it -you think it's beautiful enough that you want to remember it later or share the experience with a friend. My phone is filled with shots of things that I've found interesting, amusing, informative, or beautiful, and sometimes I scroll through and re-live them a bit. I get a chuckle; I get memories. It is only this way because my life was also filled with those moments.
How is taking a picture of something beautiful "something wrong with society"? The theory of the camera has been around since 400 BC. Camera obscura was a technique using a lens in a darkened room to capture and reflect light of something on to a paper and then traced by hand since 1500. The first photograph (that is known of and is still in existence) dates back to 1820s almost 200 years ago. You can easily enjoy a sunset for an hour or more and it takes a few seconds to capture the beauty of it which can then last for several hundred years! So someone please come with a proper explanation of how taking a photograph is something wrong with modern society.
Thanks for the brief history lesson. Also, I agree with you. There is nothing wrong with capturing a moment.
Load More Replies...I can't understand why people would want to constantly photograph everything and not just enjoy it!
I can't understand people who think that everything enjoyable will only last a split second! You see something you enjoy you take a picture which only takes a few seconds then you go on enjoying the thing for up to several hours! Complete idiots! Do you think something you enjoy looking at will disappear once you take a picture of it? Complete idiots!
Load More Replies...Why is everyone clumped up in a group? I'd have my Pentax, a bag of lenses and a tripod. I would be inspecting the shoreline and grasses for critters. I would be looking for birds, maybe checking out the creative sunflare produced by the lens already paired with my camera. I would relish the beauty around me the slanting of the sun rays, the sparkle of the water, the smell of ocean in the air and the sounds of the birds. My phone would have the ringer turned off so it would not disturb my enjoyment of where I was, I want to get lost in the viewfinder because that's where the creativeness is.
i kind of felt like it was showing how each of them see it a little differently. different people line up different shots, changing the focal point. i'm sure it's meant to be a phone criticism, but i like to see it as multi perspective.
Reminds me of my African Safari....I was the only one not looking through a camera.
Naples Florida beaches during the winter...crowded with snow birds!
Do you think the dood who painted this took a picture of the sunset to copy off of?
Photos are so important! It can be kind of annoying when someone takes 75 pics and never puts the phone down but when you lose someone very close to you and photos are all you have, you will be grateful for taking them.
GOD DAMN IT! Put down your phone! Your probably only taking that to get followers. And then more followers leads to a thirst for more pictures. Which will eventually lead right into the picture above!
and even on holidays. So much fuss to snap the so called "perfect" photo.
and happens on holidays as well. so much fuss just to snap that so-called "perfect" shot.
Seeing all white hands and none of color shows what's wrong with Society just fine.
I do this to the extreme. I’m glad I have too. On a trip to Philadelphia on a tour bus I about drove the guides nuts because I was holding up the bus taking those last few pictures. For those who did not take pictures I feel bad. I hope they have very good memories. My memory sucks . I have hundreds of pictures of that trip and I still love scrolling through them ten years later. I fact that folder of images is my screen saver on my Mac. Simply put, I cherish those memories in digital.
Would this have been more acceptable if they were multiple thousand dollars DSLR ca,eras set up on tripods?
Like if it’s not a hired media team that covers the event and will post it to YouTube the next day 🗣
Stop looking at people and judging them and enjoy your OWN experience. If people want to memorialize a moment or share it with someone who can't be there...let them.
Stop looking at other people and telling them how to live their lives. Enjoy your OWN experience. If they want to memorialize a moment or share it with someone who isn't there....let them.
sorry for the double post...something funky happened and I thought the first didn't post.
Load More Replies...How can one Enjoy the moment, when they're too busy taking photos? Sheesh, put it down!
What is the difference between using your camera 📷 or your phone to immortalise a moment you love. Everyone say’s “ put your phone down” but i remember my dad use to carry a big a*s camera on his shoulder to film important moments in his life. Smart phones are crappy for a lot of reasons but this is not one of them
I just read some of the other comments & I might be wrong but I thought it was more everyone taking a photo has a different view of the same thing .....
This exact thing happened on a trip in Australia when we waited to watch a natural phenomenon as the moon rose. I wanted to yell, put you damn phones down! Your phone camera is not up to the job anyway! Plus their screens were all shining backwards and ruining our view. Grrr.
I thoroughly enjoy my experiences. I'm even conscious of being in the moment at the time. However, as I also thoroughly enjoy photography, I also take moments for that as well. This is for me. If someone else feels they don't need to take pictures, then don't. It really shouldn't be an issue.
I hate it when people get all judgemental about people take photos or videos at events instead of "living in the moment". First off we've been doing it since the drawing was invented, let alone the camera. Secondly, we ALL like to reminisce and photos/videos help us do that. Thirdly, you don't know why were doing it - it could be to show someone else, it could be for a print, it could be for inspiration- I do it because I have memory problems and won't remember it much afterwards, it at all. Fourthly, gtfover yourself, it's none of your damn business why we're doing it, move on with your own damn life and leave us to it.
umm... wouldnt everybody have a picture of a phone on their screen?! just sayin'...
The thing is, people ( you and I ) need to be considerate when taking photos/videos at any event or concerts or public performances. Everyone deserves a good video, no your butt or your back or your huge phone or DSLR.
They'd rather take pictures of the nice, tranquil scene, than go and be part of it. I get it.
Reminds me of my trip to Angkor wat.. where everybody is fighting to get that “spectacular moment” perfect picture; perhaps for memory sake perhaps for posting to media sake. But, is that your moment? Or it’s just a moment?
There is nothing wrong with taking a photo of a beautiful sunset, but I think what the artist is trying to say is that we are sometimes looking at life too much through our small phone screens, instead of seeing the bigger picture. The answer is to take a picture, then put the phone away and feast your eyes on the broad horizon that the sky and sea always offer. Later on you might make a drawing from your photo, but make the most of living in the present.
I have boxes of paper photos from my trip to America 30 years ago. They're a bit faded and denatured by now, but still, I can look back and remember things that I don't actually recall any more. I've been to concerts, and I enjoyed them at the time, but a lot of it is pretty much faded in a week. That's what photos have always been for, aide memoir. Ok, you probably shouldn't try to video an entire concert, but I see nothing wrong with a few snaps to remind you
Almost looks like a phone talking a picture of a scene on another phone, taking a picture of a scene on another phone....lol
The most amazing thing of all is they all have a great picture, even more amazng, it's all the same. They should teach a class about it :D Though, yeah, sad reality at times
It just a suggestion, but try this guys..If you are at some scenery place or awesome moment, put down your phone and feel it more
Brings back to memory the photo of an elderly lay who waited for Pope to come by on the street. She was the ONLY one not holding a phone and watching the scene through it.
as a photographer, i resemble this remark. i don't really see what's wrong with capturing beauty though
Gosh darn people trying to preserve a view by snapping a quick photo. Memories are faulty for a reason how dare they defy nature.
This I do not understand. I like reading books in paper but there is nothing wrong with electronic editions. If anything, they are more eco friendly. It is still the same activity just different medium.
Timeline: Catholic Church's sex abuse scandals https://www.cnn.com/2017/06/29/world/timeline-catholic-church-sexual-abuse-scandals/index.html
I'm not seeing this as a "fast food/obesity" thing, more like a CEO or corporate leader just greedily eating funds. Fat in wealth kind of thing
I immediately thought that the commando in the middle thinks in black and white, and reality is all sorts of colors.
George Orwell- Animal Farm: ''Twelve voices were shouting in anger, and they were all alike. No question, now, what had happened to the faces of the pigs. The creatures outside looked from pig to man, and from man to pig, and from pig to man again; but already it was impossible to say which was which."
Not sure how many people knew this, but there is a forth monkey in this series. See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil and do no evil.
I'm honestly tired of people, artists or not, claiming there's something "wrong" with today's society and the way we interact with technology. I'm sorry but if you want your kids to be "addicted" to technology, DON'T buy them a phone when they're six years old, suck it up and try PARENTING instead of shunning your kids away with digital toys and electronics.
Every time I see these kinds of things this is all I can think of raunisex_t...fef027.jpg
I always think of Caveman Science Fiction: http://dresdencodak.com/2009/09/22/caveman-science-fiction/
Load More Replies...Lol,complaining about society and technology in a digital way.I am sure that all those artist never use computers,smartphones and social media.They should stop being hypocritical and blame the "society"
I didn't think about it as someone complaining, I thought it was just a reminder for myself to double check where I stand in these pictures. I thought they were interesting to scroll through.
Load More Replies...I love the mind of people who can tackle entire issues in a single image.
ya'll don't get the term, "satire" do you? Here you go. SATIRE: the use of humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize people's stupidity or vices, particularly in the context of contemporary politics and other topical issues. Illustrators can joke about the things they see using the their own medium. This illustrator does a funny job of poking at topical issues. Get a grip. If you enjoy your phone, keep enjoying it. Relax.
Honestly? STOP WITH THE SELFIE STICK! It’s so overdone, every satrical illustration has the selfie stick. And yes, I do watch tv, but I GO OUTSIDE AND PLAY TOO!
If you think it is all about watching tv then you totally missed the point.
Load More Replies...Such superb artwork - such grievously sad subjects. Thank you, Gerhard Haderer, for holding up the mirror.
Caricature is always about something worth criticising or at least about making a mockery of. Haderer is a great artist, I love all his work.
These are great satires & political art ideas! Despite what many on here are bitching about, these are fun.
I browsed through all of this looking for the voluptuous girl riding a giant crocodile, did I find the wrong article?
People SUCK! Knowing what's wrong, see it graphically illustrated is one thing. Realization and doing something about it is another. Denial is the factor in between.
It amazes me how some people find fault with everything. Do they think their negativity makes them superior by pretending to overlook someone else’s obvious talent? The “flat earth” mentality is an example of logic being tossed out and replacing it with ego driven nonsense.
Another series of illustrations about "what's wrong with today's society" that says all the same things as the previous artist. No new insights. Boring.
There is a balance. I see the zombie students walking around staring at their phones. I see the fear of original thinking. I see (as most can) the way people burble on about Harry Potter and its ilk like they have zero imagination. I guess it's easy to steal what is of little value.
In my time we had real community where people actually engaged culture, played and talked together. Oddly, now that I'm older I'm glad everyone is disconnected / dumbed-down because for those of us non-techno deebs, it's nice to have every space to myself....even when it's filled with "people"...
In my time we had real community where people actually engaged culture, played and talked together. Oddly, now that I'm older I'm glad everyone is disconnected / dumbed-down because for those of us non-techno deebs, it's nice to have every space to myself....even when it's filled with "people".
These are about loneliness and emptiness, not about technology per se. Our whole society has been set up to eliminate all kinds of real human interactions. Don't blame technology, blame societal morays of rugged individualism, personal shame, and mindless worship of money.
Not nice to see comments written without thinking, in the comments section of an article with pictures that are supposed to make you think...
This guy is so pretentious with his holier than thou attitude. Judging by the ratings on these images, it looks like the lot of Boredpanda's commenter demographic is an older generation of pseudo pretentious persons who are mad at younger people for existing. How dare the new generations continue to progress and leave you behind. I feel sorry for you guys who upvoted the selfie images because you will never be truly as pretentious as this artist. Ever. Even though you think you are lmao
Don't buy your children smartphones and don't let them watch TV. They are being manipulated! And you too, by the way.
People, there are options between saying nothing and going nuclear
Load More Replies...So you share his opinions that some things are wrong, yet you area allowed to write it very boringly but he can't draw them in humorous ways? Why?
Load More Replies...I'm honestly tired of people, artists or not, claiming there's something "wrong" with today's society and the way we interact with technology. I'm sorry but if you want your kids to be "addicted" to technology, DON'T buy them a phone when they're six years old, suck it up and try PARENTING instead of shunning your kids away with digital toys and electronics.
Every time I see these kinds of things this is all I can think of raunisex_t...fef027.jpg
I always think of Caveman Science Fiction: http://dresdencodak.com/2009/09/22/caveman-science-fiction/
Load More Replies...Lol,complaining about society and technology in a digital way.I am sure that all those artist never use computers,smartphones and social media.They should stop being hypocritical and blame the "society"
I didn't think about it as someone complaining, I thought it was just a reminder for myself to double check where I stand in these pictures. I thought they were interesting to scroll through.
Load More Replies...I love the mind of people who can tackle entire issues in a single image.
ya'll don't get the term, "satire" do you? Here you go. SATIRE: the use of humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize people's stupidity or vices, particularly in the context of contemporary politics and other topical issues. Illustrators can joke about the things they see using the their own medium. This illustrator does a funny job of poking at topical issues. Get a grip. If you enjoy your phone, keep enjoying it. Relax.
Honestly? STOP WITH THE SELFIE STICK! It’s so overdone, every satrical illustration has the selfie stick. And yes, I do watch tv, but I GO OUTSIDE AND PLAY TOO!
If you think it is all about watching tv then you totally missed the point.
Load More Replies...Such superb artwork - such grievously sad subjects. Thank you, Gerhard Haderer, for holding up the mirror.
Caricature is always about something worth criticising or at least about making a mockery of. Haderer is a great artist, I love all his work.
These are great satires & political art ideas! Despite what many on here are bitching about, these are fun.
I browsed through all of this looking for the voluptuous girl riding a giant crocodile, did I find the wrong article?
People SUCK! Knowing what's wrong, see it graphically illustrated is one thing. Realization and doing something about it is another. Denial is the factor in between.
It amazes me how some people find fault with everything. Do they think their negativity makes them superior by pretending to overlook someone else’s obvious talent? The “flat earth” mentality is an example of logic being tossed out and replacing it with ego driven nonsense.
Another series of illustrations about "what's wrong with today's society" that says all the same things as the previous artist. No new insights. Boring.
There is a balance. I see the zombie students walking around staring at their phones. I see the fear of original thinking. I see (as most can) the way people burble on about Harry Potter and its ilk like they have zero imagination. I guess it's easy to steal what is of little value.
In my time we had real community where people actually engaged culture, played and talked together. Oddly, now that I'm older I'm glad everyone is disconnected / dumbed-down because for those of us non-techno deebs, it's nice to have every space to myself....even when it's filled with "people"...
In my time we had real community where people actually engaged culture, played and talked together. Oddly, now that I'm older I'm glad everyone is disconnected / dumbed-down because for those of us non-techno deebs, it's nice to have every space to myself....even when it's filled with "people".
These are about loneliness and emptiness, not about technology per se. Our whole society has been set up to eliminate all kinds of real human interactions. Don't blame technology, blame societal morays of rugged individualism, personal shame, and mindless worship of money.
Not nice to see comments written without thinking, in the comments section of an article with pictures that are supposed to make you think...
This guy is so pretentious with his holier than thou attitude. Judging by the ratings on these images, it looks like the lot of Boredpanda's commenter demographic is an older generation of pseudo pretentious persons who are mad at younger people for existing. How dare the new generations continue to progress and leave you behind. I feel sorry for you guys who upvoted the selfie images because you will never be truly as pretentious as this artist. Ever. Even though you think you are lmao
Don't buy your children smartphones and don't let them watch TV. They are being manipulated! And you too, by the way.
People, there are options between saying nothing and going nuclear
Load More Replies...So you share his opinions that some things are wrong, yet you area allowed to write it very boringly but he can't draw them in humorous ways? Why?
Load More Replies...