Detail of 'Modern Masters' comic book by Simon Grennan & Christopher Sperandio. PS1/MOMA/DC Comics 2001
WHAAM! Comics, art and contemporary culture
April
April is comics month at firstsite. In partnership with ACE comics (42 Culver Street East, Colchester), we are holding a programme of talks, workshops, film screenings and an artist
residency exploring comics, art and contemporary culture.
Artist-in-residence: David Baillie
12 April – 1 May 2010
David Baillie has been appointed artist in residence during our comics season. David is a London based artist and writer whose work has appeared in 2000AD, Tripwire and Accent UK’s anthologies. His latest comics are Tongue of the Dead and RocketBoy; his screenwriting has recently been nominated for a BAFTA/Rocliffe Award. Although he is almost thirty, he leaps out of bed every morning burning with the fire of youthful enthusiasm.
During his stint at firstsite, David will produce an anthology of stories about Colchester and its inhabitants, integrating a strand which will serve as a journal of his creative process. Over a period of ten days, he will talk with members of the public, getting them to help him produce his comic through a programme of games and conversations.
He will hold a masterclass on Saturday 24 April - all ages welcome.
This residency is part of firstsite’s Artist Space programme which was piloted at the Minories Art Gallery and will be an integral part of the programme planned for firstsite’s new building. It seeks to be process-led and developmental, continuing to occupy the space between an open studio event and an exhibition
If you are making a special visit please contact us in advance to check that the artist will be in residence on the day.
This residency is supported by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation.
Talks programme
Dan Dare and Misty: boys’ and girls’ comics of the 1950s to the 1970s
Monday 12 April, 7 – 8.30pm
Speakers: Pat Mills, comics writer and editor
Eric Fernie, art historian and comics enthusiast
When The Eagle comic was launched in the 1950s boys across the world became hooked on their weekly dose of Dan Dare and the Mekon. In the 1970s girls’ comics began to come into their own with tales of the supernatural from characters such as Moonchild and the kidnapped twins in The Human Zoo. Internationally renowned writer Pat Mills and comics enthusiast Eric Fernie take us through the heyday of British comics.
Kartoon Kings: how contemporary artists got into comics
Thursday 15 April, 7 – 8.30pm
Speakers: Richard Reynolds, comics historian and artist Simon Grennan, artist and co-founder of Grennan + Sperandio
Roy Lichtenstein’s famous painting WHAAM! (1963) was one of the first works of art to focus on the relationship between contemporary art and comics. Kartoon Kings will address this historically fraught relationship; Richard Reynolds will present an overview of the key moments of tension and development in the dialogue and Simon Grennan will talk about his extensive and often hilarious experience of working within the comic book format.
As you like it: the power of subversion in Manga comics
Wednesday 28 April, 7.30 – 9pm
ILYA, writer, artist and Manga specialist
Chie Kutsuwada, Manga artist.
Manga is an international phenomenon, originating in Japan over a hundred years ago. With their distinctive black and white graphics and serialized stories on subjects as diverse as romance, science fiction and comedy, Manga appeals to children and adults alike. Manga writer and artist ILYA and one of the UK’s most pre-eminent Manga artists Chie Kutsuwada will discuss this explosion as well as the way that traditional female stereotypes are subverted in Manga comics and in the Manga industry as a whole.
All talks will be held at:
Headgate Theatre, 14 Chapel Street North, Colchester,
CO2 7AT
All talks and screenings are free, but booking is essential.
Call 01206 577067 to book your seat.
Screenings
Persepolis
Wednesday 7 April, 8 – 9.30pm
Headgate Theatre
Cert. 12A, running time 96mins
In partnership with the Colchester Film Society and Headgate Theatre we are showing the award winning Persepolis (2007), the poignant and often hilarious story of a young Iranian girl who lived through the Iranian revolution.
Booking essential, call 01206 577067 to book your seat.
Learning Programme
KERPOW – Schools sessions
Monday 29 March – Thursday 1 April
School groups can come along to firstsite to create a comic character in glorious 3D – pupils will be offered the opportunity to learn about the art of comics, with a visit to ACE Comics in Colchester then time to create their own versions of characters such as Batman, Spidey or Supergirl, Naruto or other Manga characters.
Comic Art Day
Saturday 3 April, Drop-in between 11am – 3pm
Price: FREE
Ages: Families
Come along with your favourite comic for inspiration and add to our Giant Colchester Comic on our wall of WHAAM! KERPOW! and SHAZAM!
Create your own comic in a day
Tuesday 6 April, 11am – 4pm
Price: £15
Ages: 8 – 12 yrs
Bring a packed lunch with you. All materials provided.
Work alongside an artist to learn how comics are created. Get a chance to come up with your own characters and storyline and then put it all together to create a mini comic to take away with you.
Spaces are limited, book now!
Comic Characters
Wednesday 7 April, 10 – 11.30am
Price: £6
Ages: 5 – 7 yrs
All materials provided
Come along and develop drawing skills and create great comic characters. This artist-led session will give you hints and tips on how to draw faces with emotions and bodies in motion.
Spaces are limited, book now!
Comic Characters and Basic Animation
Wednesday 7 April, 1 – 4pm
Price: £6
Ages: 8 – 11 yrs
All materials provided
Join in with this artist-led session and learn some of the basic techniques to start animating your comic characters, using simple drawn animation to create zoetropes or flick books.
Spaces are limited, book now!
Creative Comic Play
Thursday 8 April, 10.30 – 11.15am
Price: £1 per person
Ages: 3 – 4 yrs with their parents or carer
All materials provided
Bring your children to this artist-led session and work together to make a comic using simple drawn animation to create zoetropes or flick books. Spaces are limited, book now!
Cosplay Costume Design
Thursday 8 and Friday 9 April, 11.30am – 4pm
Price: £30 (including materials)
Ages: 12 – 16 yrs
Join an artist for a two day cosplay costume course where you will design and make a creative cosplay costume. These will be made from recycled garments so bring along anything you want to use, although a choice of materials will be provided.
Bring a packed lunch. There will be a cosplay costume party on Friday between 3 – 4pm so friends or relatives can come along to see what you’ve created.
Spaces are limited, book now!
Manga Drawing for Beginners
Saturday 10 April – Manga Day
Price: £3
Session one: 10 – 11.30am, Ages: 8 – 11 yrs
Session two: 1 – 3pm, Ages: 12 – 16 yrs
Price: £3
All materials provided
Are you into Naruto or Pokémon? Then come along to this special session to learn the techniques for drawing amazing Manga characters.
Spaces are limited, book now!
Cosplay Party
Saturday 10 April, 5 – 7.30pm
Price: £1
Ages: 12+ yrs
Join us for a special cosplay gathering. Cosplayers are typically fans of Japanese comic books, known as ‘Manga’. We have a shop front window where cosplayers are welcome to display their creations for five minute slots. Manga publications will be for sale and of course, a prize for the best costume of the evening. Refreshments provided.
Spaces are limited, book now!
