Christoph Niemann’s illustration “Promise Land” appeared on the cover of The New Yorker magazine in November, 2011. His intention probably was to convince the public on the similarities of early settler’s conditions to the current immigrant’s situation. The absence of colors, atmosphere of the place, ecological environment, expressions on characters, and use of detail are skillful uses to convey a strong, convincing message. The language employed on the drawing is simple but powerful, suggesting the idea that the first wave of immigrants to arrive at this country doesn’t appear dissimilar than the current one.
First thing noticing is the use of color; or a more accurate description would be, the lack of color. The overall use of black, combined with a sky showing the moon and stars, strikes the observer as a mysterious, secret, or a condition meant to be hidden. It portrays the actual status in which current immigrants are found, hidden identities and illegal jobs. Not far from the status of early settlers in which identities and professions were lost due to similar circumstances. The use of black and the night sky provides evidence and substantiate the challenging and obscure underground activity that the majority of illegal immigrants experience.
This continuous use of black on the vegetation and fence creates a pattern that extends the idea of mysterious and concealed. But, this time the only use of cactuses for vegetation, shows a deserted and lonely landscape reminiscent of the life of a traveler when arriving at foreign countries. A fence stretching across the view indicates a boundary or a sense of separation; or even, a prohibited place. This feeling was experienced by the early Pilgrims that left their country with the purpose to find a new land in which to express their religious ideas freely. The same combination exists on the present life of modern pilgrims. No families, no jobs, new border lands fill with mines of doubts.
Another element is the clothing portrayed that suggest the ones used by the first Pilgrims. Even though, not historically correct, because the early settler’s clothing showed a myriad of vibrant colors, the black still dominates the space, ongoing with the arrangement. The outfits propose the idea of embracing a new culture with its inherent ideas, beliefs and values. Actual immigrants go through the same process of adopting and acclimatizing to foreign ideas and ethics. The use of this characteristic clothing in a modern art view is an indication of a parallel comparison with the first colonizers.
They are depicted as, a woman running in the background, a man moving forward on the tips of his toes with one finger crossing his lips; indicating to keep the silence to the others. Another woman is crawling to advance through a hole on the fence. The character in the foreground is running and showing the sweating; revealing this way, the energy engaged on the physical exertion involved. When the postures are analyzed within the illustration, they suggest the efforts and challenges that a new life as an immigrant brings. Life is more complicated for an illegal immigrant. It could be expensive, uncertain, and in a lot of cases very dangerous.
Another interesting detail on the composition is how the artist displays his signature in a way that is structurally integrated to the drawing, almost as if he wishes to disguise it. It is ingeniously embodied as the thorns of a cactus; therefore, successfully accomplishing the designer’s purpose. This intention is a well-planned detail representing; again, the message of hidden identity or secret life. As if the artist presents the cartoon illustration; while at the same time, leave it open for interpretations.
The artist uses very effective techniques throughout the illustration to send a message on illegal immigration. Even though, the meaning for some people could represent a group of Mexicans using thanksgiving customs in order to puzzle the border patrol. The real meaning implied is that illegal immigration is no different from the first arrival of pilgrims to the land of the free. Before these pioneers appearance, the land was already occupied by natives, and before them the Pre-Columbian Americans and Paleo-Indian. Immigration is a very controversial topic that when discussed causes the heart on some people to beat faster; but, with the help of artfully hands and ingenious minds it can be analyzed in a more quiet approach.