There was a time when The Simpsons was considered so crude and uncultured that America’s family publicly ridiculed it, and the mere sight of Bart Simpson on a T-shirt caused a scandal. But that has changed. The show has been accepted as a cornerstone of contemporary culture and one of the greatest comedic works of all time. And perhaps there is no clearer sign of how much the show is now respected than the fact that there is currently a themed exhibition of The Simpsons in a legitimate European art gallery.
The Karikaturmuseum Krems is the “first and only museum of political cartoons, satire, and critical cartoon art in Austria.” And to celebrate the 35th anniversary of The Simpsons, it presents a special exhibition titled “Here Comes Bart! Simpsons Cartoon Art from the William Heeter and Kristi Correa Collection.” This is the first time that production art has been shown outside the United States.
The exhibition features “more than 150 hand-painted cels, storyboards, and production slides” from the first 13 seasons of the show. Therefore, art lovers will be able to closely observe the artistic merits of hand-painted masterpieces depicting Homer throwing Patty and Selma out of his house, Frank Grimes losing his mind, and Krusty the Clown getting drunk in Tijuana.
This makes a lot of sense, not only because The Simpsons is a significant artistic achievement worthy of our respect and admiration, but also because the series has showcased numerous forms of visual art in the past, including guest stars like Jasper Johns and Shepard Fairey, as well as the legendary conceptual artist John Baldessari.
According to ArtNet, The Simpsons has been surprisingly accurate in its representation of the art world, as when it illustrated the hypocrisy of fine art valuations and questioned the commodification of street art.
Strangely, the museum also features “Homer’s Radioactive Tour,” which offers guided tours of the local nuclear plant in Zwentendorf, which “has never been put into operation,” allowing it to be completely themed in the style of The Simpsons, complete with barrels of bright green waste and a life-sized recreation of Homer’s workstation in Section 7G. Curiously, this inactive nuclear plant, which now hosts crowds of adult animation fans, cost “around one billion euros” to build in the 1970s.
The exhibition will be open until June 29, 2025, so there is plenty of time to book a flight and travel to Europe just to contemplate some doodles that only exist because Matt Groening had to pay his gambling debts.
Frequently Asked Questions about the themed exhibition of The Simpsons at the Karikaturmuseum Krems:
1. What is the Karikaturmuseum Krems?
The Karikaturmuseum Krems is the “first and only museum of political cartoons, satire, and critical cartoon art in Austria.”
2. What does the special exhibition titled “Here Comes Bart!” present?
The exhibition features “more than 150 hand-painted cels, storyboards, and production slides” from the first 13 seasons of The Simpsons.
3. Why is it significant that production art is shown outside the United States?
It is significant because it is the first time that The Simpsons’ production art has been shown outside the United States.
4. What kind of artworks can be observed in the exhibition?
Art lovers will be able to closely observe the artistic merits of hand-painted masterpieces depicting memorable scenes from the series.
5. What other forms of art has The Simpsons showcased in the past?
The series has showcased numerous forms of visual art in the past, including guest stars like Jasper Johns and Shepard Fairey, as well as the legendary conceptual artist John Baldessari.
6. How has The Simpsons represented the art world?
According to ArtNet, The Simpsons has been surprisingly accurate in its representation of the art world, illustrating the hypocrisy of fine art valuations and questioning the commodification of street art.
7. What does “Homer’s Radioactive Tour” offer at the museum?
“Homer’s Radioactive Tour” offers guided tours of the local nuclear plant in Zwentendorf, which has never been put into operation, themed in the style of The Simpsons.
8. Until when will the exhibition be open?
The exhibition will be open until June 29, 2025.
For more information about the Karikaturmuseum Krems and the themed exhibition of The Simpsons, visit their website: Karikaturmuseum Krems