Behind the scenes at the Museum

Wed, Nov 23, 2005

Art and animation, Comics and cartoons, Conventions and events

Our beloved comics genre continues, slowly, to gain more serious artistic credibility (Absolute Watchman was reviewed recently in the NY Times). Two museums in Los Angeles are now holding exhibitions of the comic book art, with a collaboration between the Hammer Museum (not related to the British horror films as far as I know) and the Museum of Contemporary Art. From their press release:

“Los Angeles, CA—The history of one of America’s great popular art forms is traced in the landmark exhibition Masters of American Comics, co-organized by the Hammer Museum and The Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles (MOCA) and on view simultaneously at both museums November 20, 2005 through March 12, 2006. It is the first major museum exhibition to examine the development of comic strips and books from their genesis at the beginning of the 20th century to the present through in-depth presentations of 15 influential artists. Masters of American Comics features a staggering 900 sketches, drawings, proofs, newspaper Sunday pages, and comic books by Winsor McCay, Lyonel Feininger, George Herriman, E.C. Segar, Frank King, Chester Gould, Milton Caniff, Charles M. Schulz, Will Eisner, Jack Kirby, Harvey Kurtzman, R. Crumb, Art Spiegelman, Gary Panter, and Chris Ware.

Following its Los Angeles debut, the exhibition travels to the Milwaukee Art Museum (April 27 – August 13, 2006) and The Jewish Museum, New York, and the Newark Museum, New Jersey (September 15, 2006 – January 28, 2007).

Unprecedented in its scope, the exhibition provides understanding and insight into the medium of comics as an art form. The work in Masters of American Comics will be organized chronologically to be on view simultaneously at both Los Angeles institutions. Special admission offers and shared membership benefits will be available during the run of the exhibition.

“Among the most innovative and influential art forms of the 20th century, comics have made a singular impact on visual culture that continues to this day,” said MOCA Director Jeremy Strick. “This museum partnership underscores the importance of the art form and the extraordinary contributions of these 15 artists.”

Comic strips and comic books were among the most popular and influential forms of mass media in the 20th century, and have been described as “one of America’s few indigenous art forms” by Art Spiegelman. These 15 comic art masters defined an original form and raised it to the highest levels of artistic expression, reflecting on American culture with critical insight as well as popular appeal.

“Comic strips and comic books are quintessential components of American culture,” said Hammer Director Ann Philbin. “We are very pleased to present an extensive exhibition that brings to light the work of these 15 cartoonists and establishes their roles as significant American artists with mesmerizing storytelling abilities, brilliant draftsmanship, and often biting social commentary.””

Masters of American Comics will be on view at the Hammer Museum and The Museum of Contemporary Art from November 20, 2005 through March 12, 2006. As a lifelong comics fan it is very satisfying to see this level of artistic acceptance given to the medium and the creators of those strips. Most of us probably can’t make the exhibitions ourselves, but I’m delighted to say we can enjoy the work of most of these artists through their works (available from your friendly, neighbourhood FPI store or site) and anyone interested in reading some quality work (classic and contemporary) can’t go far wrong by browsing the above names on our main or graphic novels sites.