The titillating and controversial Graphic: Storytelling, Animation and Music Festival is back at the Sydney Opera House.
A celebration of all things illustrated, Graphic takes artists from all genres and mediums to probe the creative impact of graphic art.
“It is exhilarating to be navigating this dynamic and seemingly limitless world of graphics and storytelling,” Graphic co-curator Virginia Hyam.
“[Graphic] is a festival which celebrates the work of these iconic masters alongside new voices, spanning generations, and cultural styles.”
The festival will include lectures, screenings and concerts from the industry’s fringe and forerunning artists.
Despite the withdrawal of featuring artist Robert Crumb the remaining acts are just as intriguing. For young and inspiring artists the first day offers several classes, including a master class run by comic book royalty Scott McCloud of Superman Adventures and Destroy!!
Gotye’s album preview is one of many forays the festival takes into exploring the connection between images and sound. Playing from his highly anticipated third album, Gotye will be performing live alongside Australian animations such as Shaun Tan’s Oscar winning The Lost Thing.
The feature panel on the last day explores the role of altered states in the creative process. The panel consists of three counter-cultural icons Jim Woodring, Reg Mombassa and Eddie Campbell.
Eastern animation and illustration will be explored alongside Western comic heroes and counter-culture icons. Cult anime classic Tekkon Kinkreet will be accompanied with live music by Plaid (Warp), Fourplay and Synergy, hoping to emulate the excitement among crowds from last year’s coupling of Akira and Regurgitator.
Graphic will also be hosting a video game festival in the Western Foyers. Be sure to check out Alexander Bruce’s Antichamber for a First Person Platformer that has been generating a lot of hype.
Graphic will run this weekend, from August 19 to 21.
By Tom Hellier
