Comic of our Lives

    

     Comics began as scribes of out time, and have transformed into a culture all its own.  As design began to flourish in books, so came the book of illustrations.  Cartoon characters became the story and soon the story was told with only pictures.  In the 1938 the first superhero comic was introduced, and it was Superman.  This comic book was created toward young kids that needed something to read that was more on their level.  As children began reading, more and more of a demand for comics came about.  With this need for more comics, came the comic book era.  

     

     Comic books were everywhere and designed for everyone.  But as the comics took over the publication scene, concerns about the issues and topics began to rise.  The government stepped in and set rules and regulations for comics, banning any that were too vulgar or did not depict a happy home life.  These 'guidelines' created many problems with the artists and eventually forced them to go underground.  The artists that remained in the comic scene created love comics and stories about superficial lives.  The artists that went underground kept to the idea of comics and wrote creatively.

    Comic art has gone from humorous, to realistic, to home decor.  The illustrations of many of the comic book characters of the 1970s portrayed such realistic emotions, that people have since requested them as art for their own homes and galleries.  Comic art is continually changing and yet some of the 'classics' are still in circulation.

Graffiti evolves

     All art forms can refer back to the ancient cave drawings as their beginning.  Graffiti is one that has evolved yet stayed within a similar realm of artistic medium.  From the walls of Pompeii to the subways of New York City, graffiti has made its way around the world.  As graffiti has changed with the times, new ways of expression and interpretation have developed.  The ancient cave drawings are viewed as art and ceremonial, while the "art" that is in the subways and on sides of buildings has become known as vandalism.  

     Modern graffiti is believed to date back to the 1920s and still present in today's world.  As this art form spread from New York, with opinions of the depression; to the the secret language of London.  Graffiti has developed from 'tagging' to detailed art form of expression and lifestyles.  Some cities have embraced the creative landscape in graffiti while others have had to ban it for it's racial and gang related messages. 

    

     Even with graffiti being referred to as 'vandalism', many artist have found designated areas that have been set aside for these social murals, and some art galleries that cater to this form of pop art.  The stories in some graffiti are similar to the graffiti of centuries ago.  Graffiti is a beautiful expression of life and freedom, those that use it for tagging are the ones that have caused friction for the rest of the artist just trying to get their art out in the world.

Graphics in Literacy

     In the fifteenth century, illustrations joined literature expanding the audiences of books.  The Ars Moriendi was a religious instruction for dying, with graphics that showed it as an art.  This book was one of the first to include graphics and became very popular and helpful for those that were not literate.  The ornate pictures expressed the religious experience of dying so well that the accompanying words were over-looked.  Many children's books are designed in this manner.
    
     The pictures in some children's books have such detail that the words are merely background noise.  These books have become award-winning and known around the world for their elaborate illustrations.  The practice of graphic books has helped develop literacy for many centuries and continues to expand visual communication through the generations.  Graphics have evolved from eccentric exaggerations, to more lovable characters that appeal to a younger audience.  I think the graphics in earlier centuries have evolved to help encourage literacy and expand the imaginations of the youth.