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MONSTER COMIC BOOK 2004

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"tHis DoeSn't MakE aNy sEnSE?" short version of the giant graphic novel featuring stories about broken hearts,sleepless nights,nicotine,boredom and procrastination...ink on paper 2004

MONSTER COMIC BOOK 2004

"thIs doEsN't mAke aNy sENsE"

“tHIS doESn’t MAkE aNy sENSe?” is a 160 page graphic novel created between April. and Sept. 2004. The monster comic explores tale of blackness, madness, and the evening adventures of tiny little skeleton man. The narrative sequel to the “DIAMONDS" drawings (2004), “tHIS doESn’t MAkE aNy sENSe?” is lost in a city of pigs and poverty.Admist the chaos, a little skeleton man anti-hero is perpetually harassed by demons, nightmares, and a giant wrecking ball. The story was originally published as a series of photo copied zines, and created as part of Mike’s first street art performances( Queen St. West 2004). The artworks also include the legendary “tHIS doESn’t MAkE aNy sENSe? Scrolls,” 2004, a series of Mike’s first sequential street drawings.

THE STORY SO FAR...

The initial investigation (chapter 1 "HEY APATHY!" 2001) views the city from a distance, revealing a giant gear shape being propelled by faceless people. Each series since has brought both the artist and audience closer to the streets of the metropolis. From psychic screams (chapter 2 "MONSTERS" 2002) and the war zone dreamscapes (chapter 4 “HARD RAIN“ 2003), to portraits of street life (chapter 5 "YOU KNOW WHAT YOU ARE"! 2003), the “HEY APATHY!” mythology becomes simultaneously more intricate as well as more public. Oddly enough the closer we get, the scarier things become. The people aren’t people at all and the cafes are filled with devil beasts and deviuos pigs creatures(chapter 6 "DIAMONDS" 2004).The despairing cartoon, “tHIS doESn’t MAkE aNy sENSe?” documents the street and night life of a skeleton young man lost in the middle of a demon city.

DRAWING TECHNIQUES

The entire 160 page graphic novel was originally published as small photo copy comics. The terrifying vignettes were created on 11 “ x 14 “ sketch book paper with technical pens and ink. Although similar inking processes were used in the creation of “DIAMONDS” 2004, these cartoons explored a completely different storytelling format. Rather than focussing on various individual creatures at specific moments in time, the artworks were presented as a series of sequential fables. Each tale follows a poor little skeleton man, endlessly tortured by himself and everyone around him. Several long sequential scrolls were also created as part of this project. These animated artworks, drawn with pen and ink on paper, were Mike’s first attempts to reveal extended adventures within a single page.

GALLERY EXHIBITIONS & PUBLIC PRESENTATION

Having lost a large pile of drawings(thereby forfeiting a lucrative contract with a wealthy collector), and with the annual Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition months away, Mike found himself in a difficult position come spring 2004. In an attempt to find sustenance, Mike curated a group exhibition at the MIND CONTROL GALLERY. The event featured a multi media extravaganza, including various artists, roaming performances, video installations, and Mike’s first live painting performance. Mike created a 15 ft. x 30 ft. wall mural featuring giant war pigs and presented the earliest collection of “tHIS doESn’t MAkE aNy sENSe?” drawings as a wallpaper installation. Mike also conducted a bizarre public experiment during the gala event. Upon entrance to the exhibition, each person was given a pin that bore a derogatory label. Some were reluctant, and others insisted on trading, but eventually everybody got labelled (and drunk).

As the good weather approached Mike made the most interesting, and desperate, advancement to his artistic development. Completely broke and a little on the alcoholic side, Mike ventured to the streets in order to exhibit his fine artworks. Mike had recently become friends with an unlicensed street vendor who sold pipes and necklaces. His first venture, with the artisan, was on Bloor Street, downtown Toronto. Here the pipes sold well but no luck on the artwork. A second more successful attempt was made on Queen St. West, east of Spadina the next day. Here Mike exhibited, and created the entire “tHIS doESn’t MAkE aNy sENSe?” comic book, forcefully initiating his dialogue with the city.

ALTERNATIVE COMICS

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