Svensk Satir i Flux: En Tidsresa från Papper till Pixel. En semiotisk analys om hur satiren i Sverige har ändrats över tid

Abstract

The purpose of this bachelor thesis is to examine the satire climate in Sweden. In the 1970’s, satire art was frequently published in Swedish newspapers in contrast to today where satire art is barely existent in newspapers. Due to the digital society now dominating the media climate, the satiristic art has transferred to websites and social media. This study investigates the difference of satire art published in the substantial newspapers Aftonbladet and Expressen in 1972, and compares the satire art published on the social media platforms Facebook and X, formally known as Twitter, in 2022. By using a semiotic analysis, alongside with an analysis schedule and a chart, the depths of the satire art and texts incorporated within them was thoroughly analysed. The results of this study concludes that there are several differences in the satire art of 1972 and 2022. Firstly, there are visible differences such as the design regarding use of colour and new technological tools that have transpired over the intervening decades. Secondly, a noteworthy contrast is discerned in the thematic content of the artwork. The artists of 2022 work on their own, contrasting with the past norm of working under the newspapers directives. The shift empowers artists to freely choose subjects, diversifying themes and enriching the satirical art landscape. Notably, readership has expanded in 2022, yet the enduring requirement for audience knowledge persists, underscoring its crucial role in engaging with and comprehending satirical art. This research contributes insights into the evolving dynamics between artistic autonomy, thematic diversity and audience engagement in contemporary satirical art.