28.2.09

Letter from Andrey Feldshteyn on cartoon similarity, winners and prizes

The following letter from Andrey Feldshteyn is sent on February 23, 2009:
Gentlemen,
Recent events in the Cartoon Contest World left many cartoon fans unhappy and disappointed. We became witnesses of the growing number of cartoon similarities, prize cancelations, mutual accusations, suspicion etc.
Fortunately we are all united in understanding that the artists should not spend their energy and emotions for squabbles and quarrels, we see a better destiny for creative minds. That is why it is easier for us to build a comfortable and friendly competition environment, where everybody is treated with proper respect and etiquette.
There is a simple mechanics allowing us to avoid embarrassing situations, this technique was offered by the Don Quichotte humor magazine in 2007. We are talking about public prescreening of a certain number of best chosen cartoons (10-20). Placing these drawings on any site, announced in the Rules and Regulation, will allow the cartoonists’ community to discuss their originality. This will help the Jury to choose only original and new ideas.
We are also convinced that comparing the dates of the first publication (web site, newspaper, cartoon contest, etc) is the best way to establish the priority of the author.
The additional recommendation is to use the following point in the typical set of Contest Rules and Regulation: “The decision of the Jury is final and is not subject to an appeal.” Then we will avoid cases, which are painful for both: the artist and the jury.
Sincerely,
Andrey Feldshteyn
On behalf of the International Cartoonists’ Club CARTUNION
http://www.cartoonblues.com/forum

27.2.09

Catalog KOSOVA 2007 World Cartoon Festival

Front cover of catalog Kosova 2007 World Cartoon Festival
Grand Prix: Leng Mu / China

Last week I received the great catalog "World Cartoon Festival KOSOVA 2007". Why great, because it is almost perfect, that is it seems flawless: no misspelling, no faults in binding, in translation, in information, or else. It is 21x27 cm in size and has 204 pages in full color. The topic of the Festival in 2007 was the "News" and 542 artists from 63 countries participated. In the catalog are about 180 cartoons selected and (14) awarded by the jury comprised of Astrit Haraqija, Rudina Xhunga, Gazmend Leka, Luan Mulliqi, Migjen Kelmendi, Binjamen Haxha, and Nekra. Nekra is the pseudonym of the world-famous cartoonist Nexhat Krasniqi (this "q" is pronounced like "ch" in English I suppose) who is the creator of the figure that symbolizes the Kosovar according to Mr Migjen Kelmendi as he puts it in his introductory "2 Words":
"As for me, preoccupied with cultural and identity particularity of this society and of this country that's called Kosova, and engaged to find the answer to the question 'Who is the Kosovar?', the question that was articulated by newspaper JAVA, a fast and very exact answer is this:
'Kosovar' is a drawn figurine of the world known cartoonist Nexhat Krasniqi-NEKRA, from Peja, that small depicted man with his hair waving down, that comments, imitates, pinches, teases, reacts, who usually is ironic, mocks, screws you, and congratulates you, who cries and laughs at all of us and with all of us."
The Festival is held under the supervision of Ministry of Culture, Youth, Sport and nonresidential matters of Kosova at Museum of Kosova in Prishtina on September 21, 2007. Prishtina is specially known among my colleagues for the city is the birthplace of the late master Necmi Riza Ayca (1914-2001), one of our classical Turkish cartoonists who is also remembered as a real gentleman. As Mr Kelmendi summarizes, one of the spheres where Kosova has the right to be proud for is - cartoons. And this quality catalog with its finesse shows that too.
About KOSOVA World Cartoon Festival:
http://www.kosovacartoon.eu/
info@kosovacartoon.eu
studionekra@yahoo.com
+377 44 666548

Third Prize: Faik Krasniqi / Kosova

I'd like to introduce a cartoon from every catalog I review on my blog as "Blogger's Choice" just to remind that there are always quality cartoons in catalogs along with the awarded ones.
I am planning to write soon about the catalogs I received in 2008 from Iran, Syria, and Portugal.

Blogger's Choice: Vasiliy Alexandrov / Russia

The envelope carried the catalog has collectible stamps on it.

Cartoonists rally for the bushfire cause

This report from: Australian Cartoonists' Association http://www.cartoonists.org.au/
Rolf Heimann and George Haddon are leading the charge to raise money for the bushfire appeal in Melbourne.
George will be creating caricatures at Federation Square this Friday for a suggested fee of $35 per head for the appeal.
Meanwhile Rolf Heimann is working on a special cartoon exhibition that will probably take place in 3 weeks time. He is seeking contributions and cartoonists are encouraged to send cartoons (with no particular theme) to:
Rolf Heimann
170 Mills Street
Albert Park
Vic 3206, AUSTRALIA
You can call Rolf for further information on 03 9699 4858 or email heimann@iprimus.com.au.
A big thanks to Rolf and George for helping out for a great cause and we encourage cartoonists to support their tireless work.
23.02.2009.

25.2.09

Results 10th International Festival of Caricature & Aphorism - Strumica 2009

National Institution Culture Centre "ANTON PANOV" Strumica
"International Festival of caricature and aphorism"
S t r u m i c a:
The jury commission of the Xth International Festival of caricature and aphorism – Strumica 2009:
1.Cocho Peev - president of the jury, 2.Vasil Gjorgiev - member, 3.Jordan Pop-Iliev - member, 4.Nikola Madzirov - member, 5.Dr.Dimitar Alachki - member.
On February 19,2009, reviewed and estimated all received works (cartoons and aphorisms) and made: DECISION

Caricature:
I prize, Gold plaque: Darko Drljevich - Monte Negro (See top above),
II Prize, Silver plaque: Vang Rui Sheng - China (See above),
III Prize, Bronze plaque: Ivan Anchukov - Russia (See below), and Vladimir Kazanevski – Ukraine.
Award of Strumica Carnival Organization Board: Kiril Bozkilov - Bulgaria.
Diploma:
Pande Petrovski - Macedonia, Aleksandar Popov - Macedonia, Damir Novak - Croatia, Ismail Serdar Sayar - Turkey, Leonte Nastase - Romania, Valeri Aleksandrov (Valeks) - Bulgaria, Veselin Zidarov - Bulgaria.
Aphorisms:
I prize, Gold plaque: code "Pacific" Aleksandar Chotrik - Belgrade, Serbia; II prize, Silver plaque: code "Malisha Jashik" Rade Jovanovik - Uzice, Serbia; III prize, Bronze plaque: code "Kerber" Vladislav Vlahovik - Podgorica, Monte Negro.
Diploma: Kostadin Ustapetrov - Macedonia; Natasha Gjorgijoska - Macedonia; Mile Gjorgijoski - Macedonia; Mitar Mitrovik - Serbia; Mane Mavrik - Serbija.
20.02.2009, Strumica, Marjan Pecev - Zahov.
--
This report by I.K.
Karcomic Magazine http://www.ismailkar.com/

23.2.09

Results the 7th LM International Cartoon Contest 2008 with free theme, China

Results of 7th LM International Cartoon Contest 2008
The 7th Googlm International Cartoon Contest received 2699 pieces of Cartoons, from 946 Cartoonists of 43 countries and regions. The selection is focused on the artistic level in Googlm.
Jury Members:
Doddy Iswahyudi (Cartoonist - INDONESIA); Yuriy Kosobukin (Cartoonist - UKRAINE); Marian Avramescu (Cartoonist - ROMANIA); Musa Gumus (Cartoonist - TURKEY); Ba Bilig (Cartoonist - CHINA); Sergey Sichenko (Cartoonist - ISRAEL); Liu Hai Feng (Oil Painter - CHINA); Wang Qiang (Art critic - CHINA); Leng Mu (Cartoonist - President of Googlm Cartoon Museum).
Winners:
Grand Prize: Da Chuan Xia --- China (See top above)
Gold Prize --- 7
Doru Axinte --- Romania * Valentin Druzhinin --- Russia * Jovan Prokopljevic --- Serbia * Ji Zhao Hua --- China * Ivailo Tsvetkov --- Bulgaria * Zhu Zi Zun --- China * Slawomir Luczynski --- Poland
Silver Prize --- 6
Mohammad Kargar --- Iran * Qiao Wei --- China * Milan Bukovac --- Serbia * Seyran Caferli --- Azerbaijan * Ercan Baysal --- Turkey (See above) * Mahmood Mohammad Tabrizi --- Iran
Bronze Prize --- 6
Bayram Hajizadeh --- Azerbaijan * Konstantinos Tselios --- Greece * Damir Novak --- Croatia * Onder Onerbay --- Turkey * Vlado Volas --- Serbia * Javad Takjoo --- Iran
Excellence Prize --- 100
Abbas Naaseri (Iran) * Ahmet Umit Akkoca (Turkey) * Aidarbek Gazizov (Kazakhstan) * Akbar Torabpour (Iran) * Anatoli P.Radin (Russia) * Andre Mathijs (Belgium) * Arsen Gevorgyan (Armenia) * Athanassios Efthimiadis (Greece) * Aung Min Min (Myanmar) * Barthel Triny (Luxembourg) * Bambang Sulistyo (Indonesia) * Bao Jun (China) * Behnam Pormehdi (Iran) * Birol Cun (Turkey) * Borislav Hegedusic (Croatia) * Carlos Augusto R Nascimento (Brasil) * Chen Dong Chun (China) * D.T.Connaughton (England) * Dai Pei Cheng (China) * Drew Martin (USA) * Elrayah Ombaddi Abubaker (Sudan) * Erdogan Basol (Turkey) * Erico Junqueira Ayres (Brasil) * Fan Jun (China) * Fan Lin Tao (China) * Farnush Gorankhan Moghadam (Iran) * Grigoris Georgiou (Greece) * Hao Yan Peng (China) * Heino Partanen (Finland) * Hu Yue Jin (China) * Huang Lei (China) * I.Serdar Sayar (Turkey) * Iman Nouri Najafi (Iran) * Javad Tarighi Akbar Pour (Iran) * Jin Xiao Xing (China) * Kemal Ozyurt (Turkey) (See below) * Kim Dong Sik (Korea) * Koundouros Nicolas (Greece) * Li Xiao Yang (China) * Liu Kun (China) * Lutfu Cakin (Turkey) * Mahmood Azadnia (Iran) * Makhmud Eshonkulov (Uzbekistan) * Marieh Moghaddasi Rostami (Iran) * Marzeyah Rezaei (Iran) * Mehmet Kahraman (Turkey) * Mehmet Zeber (Turkey) * Menekse Cam (Turkey) * Mete Agaoglu (Turkey) * Miodrag Kurjak (Makedonija) * Miroslav Jakovljev (Serbia) * Mohammad Ali Valizade (Iran) * Mohammad Saleh (Iran) * Mohsen Asadi (Iran) * Mohsen Damandan (Iran) * Muammer Kotbas (Turkey) * Murat Ilhan (Turkey) * Mustafa Yildiz (Turkey) * Muzaffer Saygili (Turkey) * Nahid Maghsoudi (Iran) * Nuri Bilgin (Turkey) * Radik Azizov (Uzbekistan) * Ramin Rezaei (Iran) * Reza Jangi (Iran) * RoKo Idzojtlc (Croatia) * Rr Tantri Wurihasti (Indonesia) * Sajad Rafaee (Iran) * Sajjad Ebadi Farkoush (Iran) * Semerenko Vladimir (Russia) * Serkan Demir (Turkey) * Seyed Yousef Rahimi (Iran) * Shahid Atiqullah (Afghanistan) * Shahram Rezaei (Iran) * Song Xiao Jun (China) * Sun Shen Ying (China) * Syamsul Arifin (Indonesia) * Tadeusz Krotos (Poland) * Talent Shevchenko (USA) * Talip Dilber (Turkey) * Toku Kitawaki (Japan) * Ugur Pamuk (Turkey) * Urszula Deregowska (Poland) * Usman Harun Darmawan (Indonesia) * Vanoystaeyen Herbeht (Bulgaria) * Vijay kumar Puram (India) * Vladimir Pavlik (Slovakia) * Wang Shan Jia (China) * Wang Xue Wei (China) * Wen Feng Gang (China) * Wesam Khalil (Egypt) * William H.Lockett (USA) * Winfried Besslich (Germany) * Xue Hong (China) * Yang Xiang Yu (China) * Yang Xin (China) * Yang Yang (China) * Zhang Wei (China) * Zhao Yun Sheng (China) * Zidarov Veselin (Bulgaria) * Zulkuf Aba (Turkey) *

Results Satyrykon - Legnica 2009, Poland with theme "Women" and free category

Results Satyrykon 2009 - Legnica, Poland
Jury: M. Wasilewski (president); W. Chmurzynski, M. Lazarek, El. Pietraszko (all Poland), V. Georgiev (Bulgaria), M. Granger (France), Z. Lipinska (England) and I. Hanousek (Czech repubic).
2.674 works, 747 authors, 50 country.
Grand Prix Satyrykon: Agata Dudek (Poland)
Category Women:
1. prize: Marta Wlodarska (Poland)
2. prize: Tomasz Broda (Poland)
3. prize: Jerzy Gluszek (Poland)
Mention: Grzegorz Szumowski (Poland) and Ivailo Tsvetkov (Bulgaria).
Category Humor and satire social :
1. prize: Shahrokh Heidari (Iran)
2. prize: Mohammad Aghaei (Iran)
3. prize: Rumen Dragostinov (Bulgaria)
Mention: Jiri Sliva (Czech republic) and Bretislav Kovarik (Czech republic).
Special Prize of Director Cartoons Museum Warszawa: Zygmunt Zaradkiewicz (Poland).
Ceremonial + Expositions: 18. 6. 2009 Legnica, Poland.
This report by: I. H.

4th International Contest for a Cartoon about Lodz – The Big Boat of Humour

4th International Contest for a Cartoon about Lodz – The Big Boat of Humour
In Polish, the word ŁÓDŹ means a vehicle propelled by sails, oars or engine, used as a means of water transport. Almost all around the world, it carries symbolic connotations:
- it is an allegory of human fate in both individual and collective dimension,
- it is associated with courage, when imagining sailors embarking on a voyage across rough oceans,
- it symbolizes human longing for adventure and some change in life.
Łódź is also the name of the second largest city in Poland which is an inland city with no access to navigable waters. We hope that the name of our metropolis will become an inspiration for graphic artists, especially those with a flair for satire. The theme should be taken up with humour, with panache and perhaps with a bit of poetry...
This explanation, indispensable to foreigners, is also aimed at the Poles, for whom the popular usage of the name of the city might have blurred the sharpness of its paradox.
For the fourth time, the Big Boat of Humour invites all the drawers who would like to face the theme of Lodz, but also – a theme of the city, the technical organization that requires constant reconstruction and renovation. The renovation process often causes frustration among citizens, triggers nostalgic feelings towards the ‘old’, more ‘friendly’ shape of the city but at the same time – gives hope for the ideal city of the future.
City in reconstruction
How does this year’s theme influence the imagination of artists? We hope to see the results in the contest’s exhibition.
Rules
1. The aim of the contest is:
- creating an art gallery comprising works that could be used in actions promoting the city in a printed form or in the form of organized exhibitions.
- promoting the city, changing the traditional perception of Łódź and challenging the stereotypical image of the city.
2. It is an open contest. Everyone can participate in it, on condition that they submit their works with the application form before the regulatory deadline. The contest is an international event.
3. The theme of this year’s Big Boat of Humour contest is ‘City in reconstruction’ and also, traditionally – ‘Łódź’.
4. The original works entered in the contest can be made using any drawing, graphic (including computer graphics) or painting technique and should not be larger than A3 format (297x420 mm). Accepted by the Jury as original graphic works are the copies of author’s edition described and signed by the author. Photocopies and xerox copies of the works, computer printouts of scanned works or any other kind of duplication using multicopy techniques, for example offset printing, which serve as reproductions of a work, shall not be accepted by the Jury. Previously published works, works entered in other contests or works to which rights do not belong to the authors shall also be excluded from the contest.
5. Each participant may submit up to 5 works. The works should be unframed, provided with the name and the surname of the author and possibly the title on the reverse. The works should be accompanied with an application form, which shall be tantamount to the acceptation of the contest regulations and a permission for publishing author’s personal data contained in the form, and with a CD with the electronic form of submitted works (in TIFF format, the resolution of 300 dpi, 15 cm at the base), which is the condition of placing them in the catalogue.
6. The works should be sent to the address of Łódzki Dom Kultury (The Big Boat of Humour 2009), ul. Traugutta 18, 90-113 Łódź, Poland till 30 April 2009.
7. The organizers are not liable for any damage to the works during delivery. The works shall be insured since the moment they are received by the organizers, during the exhibition and until their return to the authors.
8. The Jury shall choose works for the post-contest exhibition and hand out the Grand Prix of the contest in May 2009.
9. The ceremonial opening of the post-contest exhibition and the verdict announcement shall take place on May 2009 during th celebrations of the City of Łódź.
10. The authors of works admitted to the contest shall be invited to the ceremonial opening of the exhibition and shall receive the catalogue. The organizers do not provide the return of expenses covering transport to Łódź and stay in the city. The organizers anticipate the exhibition of the original works admitted to the contest in the building of Łódzki Dom Kultury (Łódź Cultural Centre) and the exhibition of printouts (on the basis of the submitted CDs) in Piotrkowska Street in the centre of the city.
11. The works that shall not be admitted to the contest as well as the works shown on the exhibition should be taken back from the organizers or they shall be sent back at the author’s expense.
Awards
1. The works shall be judged by the Jury of the Contest consisting of professional artists, the representatives of the City of Łódź Office and the Organizers of the contest.
2. The Jury shall hand out the regulatory Grand Prix of the contest amounting to PLN 10,000, funded by the Mayor of the City of Łódź. The prize is indivisible. The Jury reserves the right to resign from handing out the award. In such case, the amount is added to the pool of prizes of the next edition of the contest. The decisions of the Jury are definitive without the right to appeal. The work (or works of one author) honoured with the prize, together with all the rights, become the property of the sponsor.
3. The organizers allow for a possibility of handing out sponsored awards other than the regulatory prize. Works awarded by the sponsors, with all the rights, shall become the property of the sponsors.
Final provisions
1. Sending works to the contest together with a filled in application form equals giving consent to:
- participation in the post-contest exhibition (or a series of exhibitions), unpaid reproducing the works in all media and all techniques as far as promoting the City, the Contest and the exhibition is concerned.
- duplicating the works for the needs of non-commercial promotional actions carried out by the organizers (occasional publications, press materials and the Internet), at the same time, promoting the authors and their works.
- using the works in charity actions, carried out for the citizens in need by the Organizers, Sponsors or the City of Łódź during the period of one year starting from the date of the post-contest exhibition opening.
2. Participation in the contest means the acceptation of the above regulations.