Wednesday, February 02, 2022

Feb 16: Illustrating Spain in the US: the comic art of Anapurna

February 16, 2022
6:30 pm

https://www.spainculture.us/city/washington-dc/illustrating-spain-in-the-us-the-comic-art-of-anapurna/

Illustrating Spain in the US: the comic art of Anapurna

Spanish comic author Anapurna shares the insights of her creative process and discuss comic art in a conversation with Warren Bernard, executive director of Small Press Expo.

Commissioned by the Cultural Office of the Embassy of Spain and curated by award-winning writer Ana Merino, Illustrating Spain in the US unites comic creators and scholars in a joint artistic effort to deepen into the Spanish presence in this country. Anapurna worked with Hispanism expert Lucia Cotarelo to explore the Spanish philological and literary legacy in the U.S. through a comic piece that evokes the poetics of the diaspora.

The exhibition Illustrating Spain in the US is currently on show at the Former Residence of the Ambassadors of Spain until early March.

About Anapurna

Anapurna is the alter-ego of Ana Sainz Quesada, graduated in Fine Arts from the University of Barcelona and specialized in illustration and graphic narrative in IED Madrid. Working on different artistic disciplines and equally attracted by drawing, street art, painting, embroidery, and engraving, she loves making and reading every kind of comics.

A Madrid-based illustrator and artist published her first graphic novel, Chucrut (Salamandra Graphic), in 2015, awarded with the VIII Fnac-Salamandra Graphic Award. Her work has been featured in different magazines around the world, such as Larva (Colombia), Kiblind magazine (France) or Jot Down (Spain); and included in graphic anthologies in the United States (Anthology Editions) and Germany (Wagenbach).

About Warren Bernard

Warren Bernard is twice-nominated Eisner Award comics author and historian, who in addition to contributed to over two dozen books on comics history, has curated or contributed to retrospective gallery shows on various comics-related subjects. He has lectured on comics at the United States Library of Congress, The Center for Cartoon Studies and other centers of higher learning. Bernard is also the Executive Director of Small Press Expo, one of the most influential indie comics festivals in the world.

The Illustrating Spain in the US book is available for purchase.

Illustrating Spain in the US: the exhibition

"Illustrating Spain in the US" takes on a new shape, transcending the comic pages into an exhibition now available at the Former Residence of the Ambassadors of Spain.

https://www.spainculture.us/city/washington-dc/illustrating-spain-in-the-us-the-exhibition/

Illustrating Spain in the US is a project that aims at highlighting the presence and legacy of Spain in the U.S. territory, from its help during the independence war to the heritage still existent. The project started as a series of comics created by Spanish artists in collaboration with history experts, but is now reshaping into a physical exhibition that will be available from mid-November until early March at the Former Residence of the Ambassadors of Spain.

Comic artists and scholars help bring the United States closer to us to reflect on the legacy of Spain's heritage over the centuries. Spain has been an essential seedbed in the substratum of American history and culture. This project aims at taking a better look at seven potential sides of the inspiring Spanish presence resulting in comic books of very diverse inspiration.

The versatility of the comic allows many of the nuances of this living diaspora of Spanish men and women who were and still are twinned with the American experience to be represented. Michael Francis, Eduardo Garrigues, James Fernández, Luis Argeo, Lucía Cotarelo Esteban, Juan Pimentel, Estrella de Diego and Dolores Jiménez Blanco act as the interlocutors advising and guiding comic book creators and giving them clues to help them compose their illustrated cartoon plots.

Illustrating Spain in the US is a creative dialogue that combines the graphic expressiveness of comics and their authors, with the inquisitive perspective of scholars who have written a series of complementary articles. Comic authors have built comic strips that feed on academic knowledge and demonstrate that Spain has been part of the American reality since long before the very foundation of the American country. This Spanish energy continues to be present in the imagination, talent and creativity that emanates from everything Spanish and so fascinates Americans. This energy is also found in the scientific thinking of the Spaniards who made the United States their second home while they made —and still continue to make— surprising advances.

—Ana Merino, curator of Illustrating Spain in the US

About the artists

Sergio García achieves this with the lines of his expansive drawings, while looking at San Agustín, Las Misiones and the Camino Real, creating an amazing map, colored by Lola Moral.
Rayco Pulido has imagined drawing Bernardo de Gálvez and has brought him back to everyone's memory, focusing on the key role he played in the American War of Independence.
Ana Penyas and Seisdedos share their passion and the plasticity of their lines shapes those unknown faces of the Spanish immigration that grew up as Spaniards with the nostalgia of an ocean that separated them from their origins.
Anapurna reminds us of the strength of Hispanism with a comic book that evokes the poetics of the diaspora.
Mireia Pérez immerses herself in the imagination of the brains of Spanish scientists who made great achievements on American soil and celebrates them.
Carla Berrocal applauds the passionate soul of Spaniards in Hollywood.
Max leads us through the surprising labyrinth of Spanish art in the United States, guided by a magpie and three cats that escaped from a Goya painting.
In addition, Sonia Pulido will be in charge of opening the door to these perspectives with a front cover that contains all the experiences lived through the years and the future essence of the entrepreneurial illusion of the Spanish diaspora.

About Ana Merino

Ana Merino is an award winning-writer and a Professor at the University of Iowa. She has written extensive criticism on comics and graphic novels. She has two academic books, a monograph on Chris Ware and has curated five comic book exhibitions. Between 2001-2011 she was a Member of the ICAF (International Comic Arts Forum) Executive Committee; and between 2004 and 2014, Directors Board Founder Member at The Center for Cartoon Studies.

The Illustrating Spain in the US book is available for purchase.

Ronald Smith in conversation with Preeti Chhibber [Black Panther]

Ronald Smith in conversation with Preeti Chhibber [Black Panther YA novel]

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mY59mvr-mtM

https://www.facebook.com/OneMorePageBooksandMore/videos/662231391621729/

BLACK PANTHER SPELLBOUND, the second book in the hit Young Prince series from Ronald L. Smith releases in February, and we are so excited to welcome him to our online platforms to talk about it with author, super fan and podcast host Preeti Chhibber!

ICv2 on Diamond's 40th anniversary

DIAMOND COMIC DISTRIBUTORS MARKS 40TH ANNIVERSARY

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Substack newsletter - https://gerryduggan.substack.com/

Diamond Comics Distributors is 40 today

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Bruce Guthrie on "Icons of American Animation" in Westminster, Maryland

by Bruce Guthrie

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https://comicsdc.blogspot.com/2022/02/bruce-guthrie-on-icons-of-american.html

DC Comics announces full Black History Month celebration details

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Taimur Dar

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Recognition: A Conversation with Jean-Claude Mézières

Gary Groth and Gil Kane January 26, 2022

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Maus Sales Spike After Tennessee School Board Ban

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by Hakim Bishara

Hyperallergic January 31 2022

https://hyperallergic.com/708520/maus-sales-spike-after-tennessee-school-board-ban/

Maus hits #1 on Amazon – but is it enough?

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Heidi MacDonald

01/31/2022

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OF MAUS AND MEN: COMICS, CENSORSHIP AND WHAT WE CAN DO ABOUT IT

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'If They Can Ban MAUS, No Work Is Safe': CBLDF Blasts School Censorship Of Award-Winning Graphic Novel

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Jan 27, 2022,

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Shelf It [March censorship]

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AT&T Picks WarnerMedia Spin-Off as Structure for Key Step in Discovery Merger

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Royal Mail adds barcodes to stamps offering digital extras [Shaun the Sheep, Aardman]

Jamie Grierson and agency

@JamieGrierson

Tue 1 Feb 2022

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Comic Book Workers United Union File Labor Dispute Against Image

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Panel to Panel 1: Lauren Weinstein

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Panel to Panel 3: Featuring Tom K and Patrick Crotty [small press; Uncivilized Books; Peow Studio]

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Panel to Panel 4: Brandon Schatz and Brian Hibbs [comics retail; stores; direct market]

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https://www.comicsbeat.com/interview-the-legend-of-vox-machina-matthew-mercer-marisha-ray-ashley-johnson-critical-role/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yeolXMOancs

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"Jolly Roger" Bradfield 1924 - 2021 [Dooley's World & advertising mascots cartoonist]

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7 pm tonight Marvel's Black Panther novelist Ronald L. Smith in conversation with Preeti Chhibber

YouTube: https://youtu.be/mY59mvr-mtM

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/246509194659/posts/10159804812959660/

Nate Powell on March censorship

Shelf It

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The Nib February 1, 2022

https://thenib.com/shelf-it/

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EW spoke with the writers, as well as artists Elsa Charretier and Niko Henrichon, about their new digital comics.

By Christian Holub January 31, 2022

https://ew.com/books/inside-new-substack-comic-projects-from-tom-king-brian-k-vaughan-and-more/

Off Panel #339: Love Everlasting with Elsa Charretier

David Harper

Jan 31, 2022

https://sktchd.libsyn.com/off-panel-339-love-everlasting-with-elsa-charretier

https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/sktchd/Elsa_Charretier_2022.mp3

In this week's episode of Off Panel, artist Elsa Charretier returns to the show to talk about her new comic, Love Everlasting, with writer Tom King on Substack. Charretier discusses the new series, what Love Everlasting is, romance comics, pushing yourself as an artist, pairing up with King, how they made it to Substack, its appeal, why they made their comic free, whether it will be in print, how her YouTube show has affected her art, looking outside traditional structures, and more.

PR: Deadline extension: RFK Journalism Awards

This includes editorial cartoons.

View this email in your browser

Submit to the RFK Book and Journalism Awards before February 8!

We invite you to submit your work published or broadcast in 2021. Each RFK Book and Journalism Award winner will receive a cash prize.

Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Awards
Founded by the reporters who covered Robert F. Kennedy's historic 1968 presidential campaign, the Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Awards honor outstanding reporting on issues that reflect Robert Kennedy's concerns, including human rights, social justice, and the power of individual action in the United States and around the world. Entries should provide insights into the causes, conditions, and remedies of human rights violations and injustice, and critical analysis of relevant policies, programs, individual actions, and private endeavors that foster positive change. The Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Awards are among the few in which winners are determined by their peers. Entries should provide insights into the causes, conditions, and remedies of human rights violations and injustice, and critical analysis of relevant policies, programs, individual actions, and private endeavors that foster positive change.

This year, RFK Human Rights will present special recognition awards for work that illuminates the themes of Criminal Justice Reform and Immigration, with a specific focus on Mass Incarceration and its implications, causes, alternatives, and remedies.

Bruce Guthrie on "Icons of American Animation" in Westminster, Maryland

by Bruce Guthrie

I went to Westminster, Maryland to visit the new "Icons of American Animation" exhibit which is spread over two different venues there. The exhibit opened on January 3rd and runs until March 12th.

The main portion, about 60% of the 150+ pieces, are at the Carroll County Arts Council’s Tevis Gallery. This gallery's largest chunk are Disney pieces (although, like the other sections, there are Disney pieces in both galleries).

The other portion is at the Esther Prangley Rice Gallery at McDaniel College.

The two galleries are 0.4 miles apart and you can easily walk between them. I parked for free at the college, visited the gallery there, and then walked to the Council's gallery. Both exhibits are free.

Both venues offer the free 32-page color exhibition pamphlet which includes images of all of the pieces in the exhibit as well as some of the wall text.

The exhibit includes original sketches and animation cels dating back to 1914. That earliest piece is a sketch from Winsor McCay's "Gertie the Dinosaur" which most of us keep thinking is America's first animated cartoon. In actuality, McCay himself had earlier made "Little Nemo" (1911) and "How a Mosquito Operates" (1912) and there were some earlier animation experiments done earlier by others. Wikipedia bills the cartoon as "the earliest animated film to feature a dinosaur."

Another McCay piece, a panel from his "The Sinking of the Titanic" (1918) is also included.

There is an amazing array of pieces here. When I was walking between the venues, I was promoting the exhibit to strangers on the street and a Westminsterite lit up and asked if there were any pieces by Ralph Bakshi in the show -- he especially loved "Fritz the Cat". Well, yes. There is a cell from that as well as from Bakshi's "Wizards".

To give you an idea of some of the pieces you'll see by decade:

1910s: The two Winsor McCay pieces.
Curator Robert Lemieux
1920s: Oswald the Rabbit, Steamboat Willie, Out of the Inkwell
1930s: Three Little Pigs, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Betty Boop, Gulliver's Travels, Flowers and Trees (Disney), The Band Concert (Disney), Porky's Duck Hunt
1940s: Fantasia, Pinocchio, Dumbo, Adventures of Ichabod & Mr. Toad, Bambi, Superman (Fleisher), Bambi, Lady and the Tramp, Sleeping Beauty, Red Hot Riding Hood (Tex Avery), Mighty Mouse
1950s: Gerald McBoing-Boing, Rooty Toot Toot, Mr. Magoo, Cinderella, Peter Pan, Alice in Wonderland, Huckleberry Hound, Crusader Rabbit, Rocky & Bullwinkle, 101 Dalmatians, Tom and Jerry, What's Opera Doc, Road Runner Show
1960s: The Jungle Book, The Jetsons, The Flintstones, Jonny Quest, Space Ghost, The Pink Panther, Charlie Brown, George of the Jungle, Droopy
1970s: The Aristocats, Scooby Doo, Yogi Bear, Wizards, Fritz the Cat, Horton Hears a Who, The Phantom Tollbooth
1980s: Who Framed Roger Rabbit, The Little Mermaid, The Smurfs, Secret of NIMH, An American Tail, The Land Before Time, The Simpsons
1990s: Aladdin, The Lion King, Tarzan, Mulan, Rugrats, Toy Story 2, Nightmare Before Christmas, The Ren & Stimpy Show
2000s: Shrek

Obviously, as cartoons increasingly became computer-generated, you're not going to see original cels so the latter years are mostly represented by concept art or storyboards. The latest piece, for example, was a city design painting from "Shrek" (2001). One of the pieces (a model sheet) was a lithograph but everything else was original.

Since there are two venues, you'll want to time your visit so you can see both of them in the same trip. Of course the venues have different hours but here's a combined schedule -- don't go on Wednesday or Sunday!:

Monday: Rice 10-4pm, Council 10-4pm
Tuesday: Rice 10-4pm, Council noon-7pm
Wednesday: Rice 10-4pm, Council ---
Thursday: Rice 10-4pm, Council noon-7pm
Friday: Rice 10-4pm, Council 10-4pm
Saturday: Rice noon-5pm, Council 10-4pm
Sunday: Rice ---, Council ---

The exhibit's official home page is https://iconsofanimation.com/ The news release about the exhibit: https://www.mcdaniel.edu/news/major-exhibition-curated-communication-professor-highlights-artistic-and-cultural-significance

I of course did my normal photo obsessive thing, spending about 90 minutes at each venue and some of my photos are below. My pages for the exhibit:

Council exhibit: http://www.bguthriephotos.com/graphlib.nsf/keys/2022_01_13B1_Icons_Animation1
Rice (college) exhibit: http://www.bguthriephotos.com/graphlib.nsf/keys/2022_01_13B2_Icons_Animation2

Both venues require masks but not proof of vaccination. During my visit, there were two other people seeing the Rice exhibit and three at the Council gallery (two of them being the same two from the Rice exhibit) so social distancing was easy.