Pastiches de presse, the free and comical exhibition at the BnF François-Mitterrand

Parody is an art that spares nothing and nobody. Not even the press! The Bibliothèque nationale de France invites us to discover its new exhibition, dedicated to press parodies. From April 4 to October 29, 2023, on the François-Mitterrand site, come and admire these original creations and comic parodies, and discover what is behind these caricatures...

The exhibition gathers 250 reproductions and 16 panels. We see newspapers, magazines and pages imitating and caricaturing the world of written journalism. Newspapers, women's magazines or tabloids, all formats are analyzed, dissected, mocked. For more than two centuries, there has been no lack of parodies! The BnF reveals Le Journal des refroidis (1877), Laberration (1985, parody of Libération), Le Cochon (1885), Salut les malins (1974), Flemme actuelle (2020), Icônne (2015), La Croax (1923, parody of La Croix)...

Each title, each genre is studied, so that its shortcomings, its characteristics stand out and are immediately recognizable by the reader.

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This exhibition shows us the links between the press and society. What confidence is granted to journalists according to the times, what shortcomings of the professionals of information are denounced? These satirical newspapers give us a lot of information about a period, about the population and its interests.

The exhibition is divided by theme and by period. We learn how to identify and understand these parodic works. Then we discover the influences of this genre, its timeless elements, the techniques used to create a parody newspaper... Between insult and mockery, between disinformation and caricature, the line is fine but important. It is the art of these pastiches to denounce without falling into forgery and false information.

Through these humorous newspapers, a part of truth is revealed. These subjects which are mocked and pushed to the absurd reveal the opinion of the people on the great debates of the moment and the currents of thought which seek to impose themselves. The satire allows to highlight the contradictions and the absurdity of certain editorial lines.

Humor, provocation, history of journalism and France: this seemingly light-hearted exhibition hides many surprises! A bit like these pastiches, which you can discover without delay at the Bnf François-Mitterrand.