Firma WHY

Our favorite question is WHY. Once a month we fuel our minds with a guest lecture. We find it does wonders to your ability and willingness to reimagine, reexamine and broaden your point of view. We call it Firma WHY. This time around we had the pleasure of hosting creative director, head of animation in Shenkar college and political cartoonist, Itamar Daube, who later answered our curious WHYs.

Why Cartooning?

Firstly, I’m addicted to faces – every detail and flaw makes each of use unique. Secondly, humor and specifically sarcasm are default states for me, although being widely considered as a defense mechanism and perhaps a sign for weakness (but also, smarts).

Why politics?

Because politics is a lush and rich setting for stories about an array of people: colorful, oddballs, surprising, non-conformists who defy the system, shameless, ignorant and oblivious – or super self-conscious and full of themselves. It’s a fertile ground for caricatures.

Why Shenkar College?

On a personal level, I think teaching and guiding students is a special experience, and it is also of value to our vocational know-how. On a professional level, Shenkar’s Design and Visual Communication Department is an inspirational place, where, other than the great practicum, it’s just fun to see our students go through mind changing processes. I’m proud to be part of an excellent faculty – really, the best of the best.

Why creating? (or: why do you do this to yourself?)

Imagine if after “creating”, I’d place any other word – “children”, for example. Why creating children? (or: why do you do this to yourself?).
There is no single straight answer – creation wells up and flows from within itself. I was always drawing, it’s an integral part of me.

Why less is more?

Because there’s only so much brainfudge we can contain, with the endless stimuli surrounding us.