Although, Art Spiegelman has been in the business of making
comics since the 1960’s, most often he is interviewed about the subject
matter of his most famous graphic novel Maus.
In addition Spiegelman‘s art can be portrayed as somewhat controversial, however
he is not known as a very outspoken advocate in the media. Most of his thoughts
and political views can be found in some of his tell all graphic novels such as
“In the Shadows of No Towers” and “Breakdowns: Portrait of the Artist as a Young %@&*!” Spiegelman’s views can be shown in detail
about his early struggles learning how to draw and how frustrating it can be
and also his reasoning for leaving The New Yorker Magazine after the 9/11
attacks. He explains in the Graphic novel “In
the Shadows of No Towers” that resigning from The New Yorker was quote “To protest the widespread conformism in the United States
media”. Spiegelman also demonstrates his deep criticism of the administration
of former President George W. Bush and alleges that
the American media has become "conservative and timid." Spiegelman
has recently come out with a new novel called “metamaus”. In this novel he examines the questions of Maus that most
often stir up -- Why the Holocaust? Why mice? Why comics? He also gives a inside
look at his vital work and the creative process. On the subject of Interviews
it is important to note, this was essential to process of Maus being created.
Spiegelman’s father Vladek Spiegelman was a co-writer for the graphic novel and
provided the raw material for the story. Spiegelman states that “The book is
built around an interview”. In his Novel “Breakdowns”
he would often portrayed his father either beating him or
ignoring him, however he found it an easy way to get his father to open
up when having a microphone in front of him. Thus provided the material used
for the story. Besides that he doesn’t ignore or refuse interviews, he can be
seen in many different ones over the years. Here are some examples
James
Adams, "Indigo
pulls controversial Harper's off the shelves",Globe and Mail,
May 27, 2006
www.indiebound.org/...interviews/spiegelmanart
Breakdowns: Portrait of the Artist as a Young %@&*!. Pantheon, 2008. ISBN 978-0-375-42395-6
In the Shadow of No Towers-Art Spiegelman-2002
It is interesting that he quit the New Yorker to protest the wide spread conservatism of the American media. I did not know that. I think he would be even more sickened now at the state of the American media if we were to ask him the same question again. Especially after the recent Presidential elections, it has really opened my eyes as to how unreliable the media can be. It is completely contradictory to what the media should be about. If we cannot get the truth from Journalists, then who can we get the truth from?
ReplyDeleteIt is admirable that he chose to make a statement like this and quit his job, but he IS in a privileged position as I know he has mentioned. He has been extremely successful as an artist and I think, that were I in his position, I would try and think of a way to unite more artists and people, rather than just quit. Most artists, regardless of how strongly they agree with you and how passionate they feel about the issue, are not in the position to quit working as a means of protest. It would end up being a means to quick starvation and eviction. I realize I am young, and naive, and do not have all the facts yet, but that would be my starting point, at least.
You have to say what you want to say WITHIN the system, so that you can work towards changing it. To just quit the system I think sends the message that I am not playing this game anymore, which is kind of like taking yourself out of the fight, or benching yourself.