Play, parody, intertextuality and interaction: Postmodern Flemish picture books as semiotic playgrounds

Abstract

Because of their prominent use of artistic illustrations, contemporary Flemish picture books have often been referred to as ‘‘aesthetic picture books’’ in Flanders. In this article, I will argue that the use of art and references to art by no means is a feature that is unique for contemporary Flemish picture books. The use of artistic allusions is only one of many characteristics that contemporary Flemish picture books share with what internationally has come to be described as ‘‘postmodern picture books’’. Typical postmodern features such as play, parody, intertextuality and interaction (between text and reader) will consequently be identified and analysed in works by several Flemish picture book artists. Because of these postmodern features, picture books are furthermore described as ‘‘semiotic playgrounds’’ where readers can become (inter)active readers. Keywords: Picture books; postmodernism; visual intertextuality; interaction; play; Carll Cneut; Tom Schamp; Little Red Riding Hood; fairy tales; wimmelbooks (Published: 18 December 2012) Citation: Nordic Journal of ChildLit Aesthetics, Vol. 3 , 2012 http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/blft.v3i0.20075