2012 Guild Literary Complex Annual Benefit: The Graphic Novel
By Maggie Hellwig in Arts & Entertainment on May 4, 2012 3:20PM
Let's face it: the literary world has become increasingly visual over the past decade. While your tenth grade English teacher might have a heart attack or scoff at the thought of trading in legitimate prose for great artwork, we know better. Graphic novels have earned their genre, from Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons's The Watchmen to the recent illustration of some of our favorite classics, our senses sometimes need (or at least enjoy) an extra boost of stimulation to soak in a good story. That's not to say that a good plot line must be sacrificed, but rather the graphic novel seeks to enhance a complex array of events through visual art.
On May 8, the Guild Literary Complex holds their Annual Benefit titled "Illuminate." The theme for this 2012 shebang is none other than the very apt form of the graphic novel. The event will begin at 6:30 p.m. with cocktails and appetizers, and then roll straight through 9 p.m. with a discussion between four very talented artists.
Chicagoan Chris Ware is the author of Jimmy Corrigan, the Smartest Kid on Earth and The Acme Novelty Library. He is also a contributor to The New Yorker. Audrey Niffenegger, whom we saw at Columbia College Chicago's Story Week, is the author of Her Fearful Symmetry, The Time Traveler's Wife, and the serialized graphic novel The Night Bookmobile.
Nicole Hollander is a bit of a veteran to the form of illustrated story line. Her cartoon strip, SYLVIA appears in over 80 newspapers, including the Tribune. And last, but not least, is Miss C. Spike Trotman. Spike is the author of the webcomic "Sparkneedle", "Lucas and Odessa," and "Templar, Arizona."
If you haven't jumped on the bandwagon of this genre, the benefit should be good informative introduction, and your money shall not be wasted.
Tickets are sold on a "contribution level basis." Info is here, and purchase is located here. Act quickly, because space is limited. The event will be located at the new DePaul Art Museum: 935 W. Fullerton Ave., May 8, 6:30-9 p.m.