Eurocartoons and other art

Technocrats to recue Italy and Greece....

2011-11-26T22:25:00.003+01:00

Sarkozy mentions the unthinkable to save the Euro

2011-11-15T23:22:00.002+01:00

Sarko proposes €2000 billion to support the Euro and gets rebuffed by Merkel.... the more the Euro loses worth, the higher the price...

Greek debt crisis pulling us down....

2011-09-29T21:23:00.000+01:00

Crisis going on and on and on

2011-09-29T21:21:00.000+01:00

EU debt crisis getting worse

2011-07-13T09:27:00.002+01:00

New EU budget announced today

2011-06-30T19:49:00.003+01:00

Egyptian Democracy Building

2011-05-28T19:50:00.001+01:00

For those who do not know, Belgium has not managed to form a government for more than a year, breaking the world record.

Libia...

2011-05-15T19:53:00.001+01:00

This is following his position that his oponents rebelling cockroaches or rats to kill and then complaining about the civilians killed by NATO (if any back at that stage).

2010-12-21T22:03:00.001+01:00

Merry Christmas

2010-12-12T22:13:00.001+01:00

THE STARS WAS SAGA IN FULL

2010-11-30T12:31:00.013+01:00

Due to many requests here is my comic strip in full PDF to download on the beginnings of the wars of Irak and Afganistan and EU politics using Star Wars as inspiration. It was done years ago, around 2003-2004.

Here are the links:

Episode 1
Episode 2
Episodes 3 and 4

The EU on the rescue of Ireland

2010-11-22T16:05:00.001+01:00

After a long eriod of denial, Irland has finally accepted the need of a financial resque package.

The hidden and divine power of markets

2010-11-20T16:09:00.002+01:00

The way financial markets are presented, they seem to be an allpowering divine force against which nothing can be done. In fact, its invisible god like power is more real than the power of any divity.

France is striking again, now on pensions

2010-09-24T17:01:00.001+01:00

Belgium starts EU presidency without government

2010-06-20T15:37:00.001+01:00

New Greek Euro Coins ( - 2 €)

2010-04-27T19:35:00.001+01:00

A new measure to cut the Greek deficit....

The Greek crisis

2010-04-27T19:33:00.000+01:00

Greek crisis

2010-04-07T14:12:00.004+01:00

Election of a new Commissioner for Bulgaria

2010-02-08T18:09:00.003+01:00

After the Bulgarian Commissioner candidate had to step down given the European Parliament's misgivings, a new more apt candidate was sent.

The creation of the single EU energy market

2010-01-06T16:42:00.001+01:00

Cartoon for the World Future Council on the impediments to create an integrated energy market.

The budget review takes longer and longer

2009-12-09T16:31:00.002+01:00

Welcome new president of the EU...

2009-11-20T18:41:00.002+01:00

Banks go back to the usual

2009-09-18T16:05:00.004+01:00

Another idea for Ryan Air???

2009-09-13T18:48:00.000+01:00

ROAD TO COPENHAGEN

2009-09-02T16:15:00.004+01:00

Published in CEPS news

Berlusconi accused of not chosing EP candates for their professionalism

2009-05-18T12:33:00.004+01:00

Berlusconi's wife accuses him of chosing female candidates based on good looks only.

European Parliament elections

2009-05-18T12:29:00.003+01:00

The European Parliamanet is becomming one of the most powerful parliaments on earth... be sure you vote if you want it to represent citizens opinions.

Rising nationalism

2009-04-07T21:05:00.003+01:00

A reaction to the British jobs for British people campaign.

Bankers do not follow the laws of normal businesses

2009-03-20T13:48:00.007+01:00

Bankers are getting bonuses of millions of US dollars despite the fact of having lost hundreds of billions and needing taxpayers money to run their basic operations and not seeing the bank collapse. In most businesses bonuses are linked to profits... not for them. Furthermore, apparently it is "legal"... thus the law favours economic injustice? Or are they getting a reward for managing to keep their posts and emptying the pockets of the taxpayers... to then lend it back to us... for an interest?

EU Budget review

2009-03-20T10:42:00.002+01:00

New version of my cow and Englishman, now with the Commission pondering on what to do.

The Gaza strip attack by Israel

2009-03-15T13:55:00.000+01:00

I drew this when Israel entered Gaza. I understand the politics and action was to be expected given the number of rockets flying into Israel... Not taking action under such circumstances is politically untenable, but I also consider the military action disproportionate and showing a real disdain for the civilian population. A factor affecting both sides in this conflict is the way they seem to look at their enemy, i.e. not really as equal humans. One side has, however, a clear military advantage. I also wonder if it was not the intention of Hamas to provoke a massive attack, so as to tarnish the image of Israel, knowing very well in what danger a misery they would plunge the population that elected them. If this was their objective they got what they wanted, I am not sure what Israel really won. Maybe the size of the attack was so large to put clear that playing cat and mouse with Israel is not possible. To show that Hamas cannot expect to hide behind international rules of combat (which Hamas would never follow) and the international community to keep Israel away from any strong action. Israel decided to show that if it wants it can flatten the place. Both sides to some extent reached their objectives at the cost of many Palestinian civilians.

Gaza and military power

2009-03-13T14:18:00.000+01:00

Another picture I prepared when the gaza strip conflict was on, to represent the asymetric military power on both sides of the conflict.

Council "art"

2009-02-11T21:05:00.003+01:00

My answer to the work of art now decorating the entry to the Council. Just another example of how to shoot your own foot paid by taxpayers. It is inappropriate for the place it is in. It is insulting to some countries and in part vulgar. It is good for a gallery, for the garden of an Eurosceptic, for a humoristic function, but not for the Council.

In the same direction, here another option:

US election effect

2008-11-25T10:14:00.001+01:00

Autobiography for fun done 1996

2008-10-26T16:05:00.003+01:00

Aday at work

2008-10-26T14:11:00.003+01:00

A comic I drew in 1998 or 2000.

The truth about the end of the Galactic Empire

2008-10-13T19:51:00.001+01:00

Financial crisis

2008-10-13T19:50:00.001+01:00

OLAF reports on corruption and crime

2008-07-24T13:48:00.002+01:00

The European Commission's anti fraud office OLAF has released strong allegations on fraud, criminality and corruption in Bulgaria and Romania. Local news dismiss it as unfair concentration on them... all excessive allegations, etc.... mmmm yea, sure.

How to change the Treaty?

2008-07-24T12:15:00.002+01:00

Can we really create something different?
There is a need of inspiration and 'real' collaboration to make something that makes sense. What does the Treaty aim to achieve? One useful goal.
What is missing. Single market, done; Single currency, done.
What is left, apart form pieces of administration and harmonisation noboy understands, is security and justice. Here Member states need to be particularly curageous.

A global perspective

2008-07-15T15:40:00.001+01:00

http://www.peterrussell.com/Odds/WorldClock.php

Scary

2008-07-15T15:02:00.007+01:00

World food shortages have appeared with food prices increasing dramatically and pushing millions of people back under the poverty line. Many are facing starvation across the world. Food aid programmes have been cut due to costs. While the direct impact of biofuels from corn is not the only explanation, it has contributed. Given that even if all the agricultural areas of the world were producing ethanol it would not suffice to replace oil, there is ample scope for demand increases. In the future ethanol will easily insatiably gobble up cereals until another technology is found. The prices of corn have increased so much that land for other crops is being diverted to the production of corn. Refineries are increasing in number, increasing demand, thus prices are not going to fall so easily.
The price rises are also inducing bad policy decision-making, see http://shop.ceps.eu/BookDetail.php?item_id=1683.
What I consider grave, is that the main issue is not touched. We prefer to use cereals for biofuels to power our cars rather than reduce consumption of fuel. It is interesting to note that the increase in biofuels from cereals has been induced and fostered by state policies. Mandatory targets and subsidies are fostering this development. Instead of substituting by 20% the use of fuel by those biofuels, why not reduce consumption - less transport, less heating, less flights until we find an alternative. The global social and economic costs greatly outweigh the benefits, but for those there is no bill.

Irish referendum on the Lisbon Treaty

2008-06-19T22:06:00.006+01:00

The Irish voted against the Lisbon Treaty. What is really disturbing is the fact that neither the 'no' nor the 'yes' camp knew really what they were voting about. 0,8% of the EU population voted democratically in the name of EU citizens and most WITHOUT KNOWING WHAT THEY WERE VOTING. And why voting 'yes' for something you don't understand even the basics of. This should be a lesson to the EU to get their act together on communacation. What was exactly the reason for the need of a constitutional change in Ireland? What does the treaty change in member states in general? I am sure a list of bullet points would suffice. People voted no due to fears, most of them issued from the fantasies of some Eurosceptics that would use anything to discredit the EU. A good number of foreign Eurosceptic politicians and Eurosceptic MEPs went to scaremonger the citizens, not inform them, but to ensure that the Irish kill the treaty at all costs. Pro-European MEPs and politicians did not go there not to "interfere" with the election... COME ON, the EU cannot be as unimportant as that. The Irish government seemed clearly unable to plainly explain what was important. I do not mean that a good information campain would have ensured a positive result, but to avoid a vote based on ignorance and misinformation as seems to be the base of most voters decision in both camps. I would be happy if they knew the real magnitude of the consequences, at least it would offer a good reason to kill the Treaty. The ingnorance of voters just discredits to use of referenda for such international agreements, rahter than legitimise them.

Anyway, maybe the EU will start understanding that public relations is very important and requires going down to citizens IN PERSON.

New book cover

2008-05-26T17:33:00.004+01:00

This is a new bookcover for "Who is a normative foreign policy actor?"
A new CEPS book exploring fundamental aspects of foreign policy at the global level will be launched at CEPS on May 26th on the occasion of the European Security Forum meeting. The volume, edited by Nathalie Tocci and written by leading specialists from Europe, the United States and Asia, explores the question: Who is a normative foreign policy actor? A printed copy of the book may be purchased that day at a special discounted price of €20 or downloaded for free from the CEPS online bookshop, http://www.ceps.be/.

China olympics

2008-05-04T11:07:00.002+01:00

On the EU budget review

2008-03-14T11:17:00.004+01:00

The end of the Commission's consultation is approaching and the discussions on the EU budget will start. It coincides with Easter. The cartoon will appear on CEPS news in April. www.ceps.eu

Some thoughts on the HEALTH CHECK for the CAP

2008-03-14T11:12:00.003+01:00

Given the kind of discussions on the agricultural policy's Health Check and the European Commission's communication on it, this is what came to my mind as an image.

I hope that the Health Check surprises me, as I admit, did the Mid-Term review of the CAP. It looked to not much until the proposal appeared.

CEPS celebrates 25 years

2008-02-09T21:49:00.000+01:00

This cartoon is to celebrate the 25 years of the Centre for European Policy Studies in Brussels, Belgium. If you follow Belgian politics you will understand it very well. If you don't, well I am sorry, it is impossible to explain... not even by CEPS.....

Christmas cartoon for CEPS news

2008-01-08T16:50:00.000+01:00

There was the meeting in Bali on climate change before christmas.

The EU budget calculator

2007-12-06T17:03:00.000+01:00

For the November issue of the CEPS news as a response to the public consultation on the EU budget launched by the European Commission.

This picture is based on the comments of a participant in the negotiations on the expenditures of the EU budget for the Financial Perspectives 2007-2013, who said that it looked like a calculator competition.

2007-11-09T18:57:00.000+01:00

New book cover by me... and the contents too...

http://shop.ceps.eu/BookDetail.php?item_id=1553

Some thoughts about the EU budget...

2007-10-08T13:19:00.000+01:00

Cartoon for CEPS news

2007-10-04T20:35:00.000+01:00

My daughter's ballet gala 2007

2007-08-03T12:49:00.000+01:00

2007-07-09T21:17:00.000+01:00

Published in CEPS news

2007-07-09T21:15:00.000+01:00

Published in CEPS news

EU Russia Relations and Ukraine

2007-04-22T14:34:00.000+01:00

Here is a cover for a study on EU Russia I have prepared for CEPS. The Centre for European Policy Studies.

Russia is very active in Ukraine, using the dependence of gas and oil as well as the presence of a large Russian base in the ports of Odessa to manipulate its neighbour's politics. The EU, previously very concentrated on this country, now is distracted by other events, while Russia frantically increases its presence and interventions. This cover reflects the situation.

More fighting for the matrix

2007-04-18T21:27:00.000+01:00

Some selected footage of my black belt exam...

Part II. First because it is more interesting

Part I. technical stuff

My matrix training

2007-04-18T12:07:00.000+01:00

Here you see me training some time ago in the matrix...

My son's first funny video attempt

2007-04-14T09:05:00.000+01:00

It is called the jungle maniac...

My daughter

2007-04-12T16:28:00.000+01:00

She is the main model for the web site of this children's foundation!
http://www.stepbystepbg.com/

CERAMICS

2007-04-12T16:05:00.000+01:00

My friend the ceramist has created a new series of ceramics for a childrens publishing company Tara. They are fantastic. See at www.tara-shopping.com from the 15 of April.
Visit the ceramist's web site at www.ekaterinalachova.com

Working in Virtualia

2007-04-12T09:01:00.000+01:00

This video was created as a good-bye film for Nevena who left the Ministry of Finance in Bulgaria, where I was working as consultant. The Matrix subject recurs in all my creations on the time in the Ministry and reflects the sensation of surreality of the work in there. The number of paperwork and processes based on non existent or "virtual" issues was astounding. I also understood Kafka much better there than anywhere else.

EPISODE 4 final pages, end of stars war

2007-03-12T22:25:00.000+01:00

I hope you enjoyed it...

STAR WARS EPISODE 4 cont....

2007-03-11T21:54:00.000+01:00

STARS WAR EPISODE 4

2007-03-11T21:17:00.000+01:00

THE FALL OF ASSNOT

This is a very special episode dedicated to the disastrous handling by the Spanish government of the Madrid terror attacks on the 11 March 2004. In my opinion the government tried to manipulate the population to believe that the attack was from ETA. A form of attack that those who know ETA's activities is very unlikely, completely out of style. Quite a suicidal move in fact. Information to foreign intelligence services was apparently manipulated to hide the evidence that it was unlikely to be ETA. The miscalculated attempt to fool the population made the government lose the elections. With the truth, they would likely have won. Here is the fall of the Prime Minister "Assnot" set in world of Stars War. Enjoy...

STARS WAR CONTINUES EPISODE 3

2007-03-11T21:02:00.000+01:00

Dear fans, Sorry I have been absent so long. Work, life and all of that kept me away from this.

Here more pages....

STARS WAR Episode 3

2007-02-17T00:35:00.000+01:00

AND THE SAGA CONTINUES

These are the first pages of episode 3, based on the services of the Italian premier to the European Union. Try to find his first speech in the European Parliament. Do you remember? The things one can forget....

Man getting free

2007-02-08T20:34:00.000+01:00

This is another job of mine. This is about a picture of a man with an umbrella separating from the page of a book, freeing itself from the 2 dimensional limits. His legs are still partially on paper. The picture also was black and white (see hands). The glass of the frame is not a barrier and the arm and umbrella are already through, as if the glass was not there. The white birds (seals) just fly trough the book, with the parts in the paper becoming a picture. 2 and 3 dimensions just flow.

What is the philosophical and political meaning of this?... mmm... that I liked the idea, just looking for something not limited by dimensions and space. I wanted to play with the freedom this frames and three dimensions give me. It allows to create completely new things. Then I did not like to consider the frame either as an impediment or the glass (see swimming pool). It is just different that is all. So I let it to psychologists to find hidden reasons and to battle between themselves my motivations. I have some other stuff to do in the meantime.

Hommage to Magritte

2007-02-05T22:53:00.000+01:00

This is a 3D picture of floating bureaucrats I did two years ago. They are in fact floating with thin pins holding them.

It is a hommage to Magritte and his flying men, but a lot of my inspiration comes from Volker Kühn and Folon. Both extrahordinary artists. Sadly, Folon died recently...

Volker Kühn

http://www.artinboxes.de/

Folon:

http://www.folon-art.com/

THE SWIMMING POOL

2007-02-05T22:30:00.000+01:00

Less controversial for once. This is one of my latest works. A three dymensional 30x30 cm swimming pool done with miniature tiles stuck with real concrete and other materials for tyling.... I was mad and should have used superglue!!!
The lady is swimming, head out of the water (glass) and does not touch the tiles!

I am very proud of this one.

My inspiration:

Volker Kühn

http://www.artinboxes.de/

I have one of his works, and has been a very big inspiration to do some of my own...

THE TRANSITION MASHINE

2007-02-05T22:25:00.000+01:00

This is a 3 dimensional picture of approximately 20 by 20cm, done with a kind of modeling clay.

It represents the transition in Eastern Europe and their entry in to the EU, where bureaucrats of the old system enter the mashine that transforms them into perfect EU bureaucrats. In the mashine there is in fact a figure half blue half gray.

THE BEST SHORT I HAVE EVER SEEN

2007-01-24T19:28:00.000+01:00

I died laughing seeing this... so let me share it with you....

MORE STARS WAR END OF EPISODE II

2007-01-22T22:08:00.000+01:00

Here are the last pages of episode II of the mitical wars in Appalingstan and Saddistan. Enjoy. Episodes 3 and four will be comming soon.....

Stars war episode II pages 2 and 3

2007-01-22T18:41:00.000+01:00

STARS WAR EPISODE II - first two pages

2007-01-21T20:02:00.000+01:00

The saga continues....

to those who watch

2007-01-16T21:43:00.000+01:00

Dear cyber friends,

You are few to log in... and you are none to comment....

This is bringing me to the conclusion that it is not worth going on.

So, if you want me to stay on, comment and pass the link... or I will simply drop it. It is no fun to post for myself only.

I will not post anything any longer if I see no reactions.

Cheers,

Jorge

TWO NEW STARS WAR PAGES

2007-01-14T00:29:00.000+01:00

STARS WAR

2007-01-09T21:01:00.000+01:00

THIS IS THE START OF A LONG SAGA IN FOUR EPISODES...

Every day or two I will be posting new pages so keep looking. It is based on the 'war on terror' and the events in the EU, the promotional video was posted earlier. The story is inspired by star wars with the Previous EU Commission President Prodi -Proda (as Joda) leading his College of Commissioners - here Jety - at a time where the USA (United Stars of Andromeda) declare war to Appaligstan, and so on.... You can see the personnages and their caricatures in the stars war film posted earlier from Youtube. This comic strip has been highly appreciated by those closely involved in EU affairs... As a special trat I offer the first 3 pages... MANY more to come...

CORRUPTION

2007-01-09T20:58:00.000+01:00

Impacts of accession

2007-01-09T20:43:00.000+01:00

Accession to the EU is considered by many as some kind of miracle pill that will change things on the spot. It certainly induces change but not automatically. The new members struggle to understand the dynamics of economic development and often create strategic visions full of pseudo economic eurobabble without a clear understanding of either the situation of the country nor where it actually should be moving and how.

This is a caricature based on the fundamental misunderstandings about modernisation and the lack of coherence in the strategies chosen. The outcome of this mix between wishful thinking, misallocation of resources and wrong sequencing can delay development.

That I put Bulgaria is because I was there when I did it, and my wife is from there, not because it is making things worse than other countries.

New ceramic series

2007-01-02T13:18:00.000+01:00

With a ceramist friend of mine we have launched a new ceramic cup series. The ceramist in question is Ekateriana Lachova:

http://www.ekaterinalachova.com/. The new cups are being exposed in a gallery in Plovdiv Bulgaria.

http://www.sariev-art.com/

in the function: cup exhibition. Now in the link to the present exhibitions.

We hope to bring it soon to shops near you, starting Sofia, Paris and Brussels...

The picture shows tree samples of a series of designs which will form entire sets.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR

2006-12-23T22:56:00.000+01:00

These are my kids...

My second book cover

2006-12-19T21:23:00.000+01:00

My second book cover.

Here the present relationship between Russia and the EU is portrayed. Russia as a bear and the EU as an elephant (big, but slow and clumsy).

Negotiations with Russia have become a difficult strategic game. The chessboard figures represent the negotiation items and pressure tools. The EU uses its financial strength as well as its legal powers, and presses for the democratic values on which the EU has been founded.

Russia has only a single negotiation weapon, oil and gas. This is why the Russian side has only oil rigs and no other figures.

You can order or download the book for free at:

http://shop.ceps.be/BookDetail.php?item_id=1402

My first book cover

2006-12-19T21:12:00.000+01:00

This book is about the world economic balance published by the Centre for European Policy Studies. You can download the book for free or order a printed copy at the following link:
http://shop.ceps.be/BookDetail.php?item_id=1317
It is my first book cover at more professional level. it represents the rising Asian market and the still powerful but less confident USA, with an economy threatened by a housing bubble.
Europe is in the middle, trying to stay in balance. Europe is represented as a castle, as it has often been portrayed as "fortress Europe", due to past tendencies to introduce protectionist trade policies. In the tower, unfortunately a bit too small to see it right, there is a person building the central tower, while a second one is destroying it, to represent the tensions within the European Union. The castle is small and the people difficult to see, because I was asked to make the EU smaller, as it is not so relevant... not a nice message for Euroenthusiasts....

My impressions of Bulgarian road police in 2004

2006-12-16T23:29:00.000+01:00

I have visited Bulgaria in numerous occasions. Also by car... Policemen place ridiculous speed limit signs from their car boot at large roads or motorways, like 40km limit... behind a bush if possible. They expect a bribe from the motorists they stop. In 2004 it was 10 € for a semi-foreigner like me. I love this cartoon, got the idea from my son and just hits the nail so beautifully.

Christmas card for 1999

2006-12-14T22:31:00.002+01:00

This was the year when the European common currency Euro was born, in New Year... This was my cristmas card then...

My dreams after visiting the Alhambra in Granada...

2006-12-14T22:31:00.001+01:00

... and crual reality of life....

About EU subsidies... and bad targeting

2006-12-14T22:28:00.000+01:00

US skepticism on Global Warming here to stay

2006-12-14T22:27:00.000+01:00

Sugar babes

2006-12-14T22:25:00.000+01:00

This is a photo taken in an office of a Ministry. I saw it like it is and I found the setting to good not to make a picture....

Robbing Hood

2006-12-14T22:19:00.000+01:00

About the EU British presidency and the EU budget negotiations. The UK vetoed a previous budgetary agreement in part to cut the EU budget.

The war on terror based on star wars - film

2006-12-14T22:17:00.000+01:00

This is based on a comic strip I did, I kind of promotion film. Do not try to read it, just enjoy. Politicians were atributed some known personalities of the star wars saga. Try to see if you recognise them...

About the russian oil pipelines based on some old news of sabotage

2006-12-14T22:15:00.000+01:00

My thoughts about the Eu enlargement... guess where my wife comes from

2006-12-14T22:14:00.000+01:00

Former EU Commissioner Kinnock meditating about administrative reforms

2006-12-14T22:10:00.000+01:00