5. Today in 1920s Turkey: 9 August 1926 (Planes: A Modern Perspective)
(Akbaba or “Vulture/White-Bearded Old Man,” 9 August 1926, no. 384, page 2, by Ramiz.)
Comments:
Like post #2 this cartoon is signed (upper right corner) by the prolific cartoonist, Ramiz. Published exactly 90 years ago today, this cartoon’s subject matter is very much a product of its era. Newspapers of the 1920s are riddled with airplane-related news, signaling a general enthusiasm for aviation (still at its infancy). By 1926 the flying machine had accumulated a great deal of cultural significance as a highly visible and attractive ambassador for progress. Nationwide interest in the airplane permeated all levels of the population including the president, Mustafa Kemal (Atatürk) who requested the establishment of the Turkish Aeronautical Association (Türk Hava Kurumu, originally Türk Teyyare Cemiyeti) a year prior, in 1925 which is why today his likeness graces one of the outer walls of the THK building in Ankara.
(THK building in Ankara, August 2010. This mural features the first president looking up and pointing at three planes in the sky. Below it is the famous quote, "İstikbal göklerdedir" or The future is in the skies.")
But not all stories related to the airplane are as overtly high-minded and idealistic in their praise of this technology as the present cartoon demonstrates. Indeed, planes, trains, automobiles, and other mech-tech devices were often coopted by cartoonists attempting to reveal the folly of man in the presence of such sophisticated technology. Anticipating the future ubiquity of this invention, today’s cartoon presents a ridiculous way to use to the airplane. It begins by announcing that (according to a recent news story) recreational plane rides will soon be available for sightseers and tourists to fly over scenic Istanbul, affording passengers exclusive, breath-taking views of the city. A dialogue between the pilot and passenger regarding destination is included below the cartoon revealing that the man would want nothing more than to see the Covered Bazaar. Of course, the covered bazaar is best seen from within! The covered bazaar from above is nothing more than a series of roofs (albeit, some sections beautifully domed). Rich in satire, this cartoon ridicules tourist behavior and consumerism. Here, we are presented with a cynical view that in the future consumers of commercial/touristic airplane rides will also be more interested in shopping than enjoying art or cultural heritage. The famous mosques of Istanbul’s skyline are depicted below the plane; their inclusion in this cartoon supports this comparative interpretation.
Sometimes the Istanbul skyline is included in cartoons just for the sake of establishing that the scene is taking place in Istanbul. If this is the case (and I am reading too much into a possible anti-consumerism message) then the cartoon’s punchline may only be ridiculing the stupidity of a man who doesn’t realize that a bird’s eye view of the covered bazaar is a waste of a perfectly fine private plane ride.
English:
(Above) Those who want will be able to tour Istanbul with a plane for seven liras!
(Below)
Pilot: What part of Istanbul would you like to tour, where would you like to fly over?
Customer: The Covered Bazaar!
Türkçe:
(Üstte)
İsteyenler, yedi liraya teyyare ile Istanbul üzerinde dolaşabileceklermiş!
(Altta)
Pilot: İstanbul’un neresini görmek, neresinden geçmek istiyorsunuz?
Müşteri: Kapalı Çarşı!