Please read Dr. Eowyn’s article on the same subject:
Rothschild-owned The Economist’s 2015 cover full of unsettling symbols
The following is excerpted from a YourNewsWire.com article attempting to find some clarity on the very strange cover art. I did a search for the name of the illustrator of the cover art, and was very surprised to read there was no illustrator. The cover, they say, was created by a committee. This would explain the shameless borrowing of the Beatles album cover theme.
I have removed the theories expressed on VigilantCitizen.com, and show only the explanation given by The Economist’s editor.
So here is The Economist’s explanation of the cover. ~TD
Controversial Economist 2015 Cover Illustration Explained!
By Salli LaBelle Platt and Jacqui Deevoy
There’s been much controversy over the meaning of The Economist’s new year cover. YourNewsWire speaks to Editor Daniel Franklin about what those images actually mean…
BLACK & WHITE FACES
Daniel Franklin, Editor of The Economist says: “The black & white versus the colour faces was a decision based purely on the strength of the design. There is no differentiation with the people featured in colour or not – it’s merely a way of representing a bunch of relevant folk in order that this be a stronger front cover.”
TWO FACED GLOBE
Daniel Franklin says: “Represents the rise of Nationalism and how it may be a world of conflict with regard to agreements. Many nations involved, some places angry, unsettled, others less so. The two faces of the moon disagreeing with itself as depicted on different sides. The article it refers to is called ‘Nationalism is Back’ and can be found in the International Section.”
DRONE
Daniel Franklin says: “The drone is relevant to the US Section, where there is an article on the Fed Aviation Society who are set to announce the rules this Autumn on the regulations on Drone use in America. (To be found in the US Section).”
ROCKET
NUCLEAR MUSHROOM CLOUD
Daniel Franklin says: “The mushroom cloud relates to the story on the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty yearly review conference, set to take place in New York – article to be found in the ‘International’ Section.”
PIGGY BANK
Daniel Franklin says: “The piggy bank flying from David Cameron’s chest relates to the article on how small banks should do well this year.”
SPIDERMAN
Daniel Franklin says: “This iIllustration relates to the article on Hollywood 2015. ‘Lights, Camera, Fraction’, focusing on the downward spiral of wages and superhero movies being very popular whilst implying it’s less important as to who is behind the mask – i.e. a cheaper actor/actress would be used as opposed to the Celebrity A class. (Page 124, UK version).”
LEONARDO DA VINCI PAINTING
Daniel Franklin says: “The New Abu Dhabi LOUVRE Museum set to open this year. Apparently, the painting in the cover illustration may be one of the debut masterpieces loaned for the opening exhibition of this venue. (See feature in the Books & Arts section.)
ALICE IN WONDERLAND and THE CHESHIRE CAT
Daniel Franklin says: “It’s the 150th Anniversary of Alice in Wonderland. No particular reason for this part of the story to be depicted other than it is recognisable as such. The pile of dirt is actually a pile of sand and relates to the article on Abu Dhabi museum.” (See above.)
ARROWS WITH NUMBERS
Daniel Franklin says: “The arrows are taken from the graphic illustrating the story of China’s economy “The numbers to watch” and are Chinese ‘targets’. As it happens, the numbers on the graphic were adjusted in the fact-checking process after the cover went to press.”
CRICKET BALL
Daniel Franklin says: “We featured a white cricket ball because cricket world cup played with a white ball. There is the rugby world cup and the women’s football world cup all this year.”
GHOST with HOLIDAY BROCHURE
Daniel Franklin says: “This is all about predictive programming on your mobile/handheld devices. The phone could tell you when you are on holiday and support your lifestyle ~ helpful but at the same time arguably a little creepy, hence the ghoul image use.”
TURTLE
Daniel Franklin says: “Lonesome George” the famous turtle who died in 2012 is to be returned to the Galápagos Islands this year. The story on this appear in the ‘Events’ section. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lonesome_George
SUMO WRESTLER WITH A BIG BATTERY
Daniel Franklin says: “Japan’s biggest battery for storage has been produced – for excessive solar and wind power. (There’s an article on this in the ‘Asia’ section).”
PANDA IN SPEEDOS
Daniel Franklin says: “Represents Chinese Politics – ever more muscle.”
PIED PIPER
Daniel Franklin says: “The illustration of the Pied Piper depicts the story where the rats are being eradicated from the Island of St Georgia. 20th Century Whalers set up bases on the Island and escaped rats caused chaos to it’s ecosystem. (‘Science’ section).”
BOY WITH TOY PLANE
Daniel Franklin says: “This part of the illustration relates to the drone illustration with regards to the FSA. Both the little boy with the plane and the helicopter are from the illustration that accompanies the piece on drones (on page 60 of the magazine).”
PANIC GAME
Daniel Franklin says: “Where might you find the financial crisis? EURO – FED RESERVE & CHINA. (Finance Section).”
BOY WITH NOODLES
Daniel Franklin says: “There’s an article in the Chinese Section that reports on the growing fussiness of Chinese consumers. This image illustrates that article.”
ASIAN MASKED OFFICER
Daniel Franklin says: “This illustrates an article on pollution that relates to the Paris, December meeting.
LANDROVER DEFENDER
Daniel Franklin says: “This illustrates an article that reports on the ceasing of production with the LandRover Defender.”
– See whole article at: http://yournewswire.com/controversial-economist-2015-cover-illustration-explained/#sthash.hmSGoIhY.dpuf
There you have it, straight from the horse’s mouth.
Now if you will excuse me, I have to talk to somebody who told me there’s a great bargain to be had on the purchase of a bridge in New York!
♞
Please read Dr. Eowyn’s article on the same subject:
Rothschild-owned The Economist’s 2015 cover full of unsettling symbols
