Opening today at the Museum of Indian Arts & Culture, located in Sante Fe, is a really interesting exhibit of artwork and writings about the impact that comic books and graphic novels have and have had on Native American life. Whereas in our society today, comics are thought of as nothing more than a hobby or something that could be collected by young children, many Native Americans believed, and still do to this day, that comics were a fantastic way of storytelling that was very similar to the visual style of their own storytelling.

From their site:

Comic Art Indigéne examines how American Indian artists articulate identity, reclaim stereotypes, worldview, politics, and culture through the kinetic expression of sequential art. Inspired by this unique medium, using its icons, tropes and dynamism, this is a new world of American Indian art, full of the brash excitement first seen on newsprint a century ago, sometimes unrefined, even crude at times, but never sterile.

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Scheduled for opening day, in addition to the exhibit itself, is an artist roundtable, a fan costume contest, full gallery tours, as well as a number of other activities including a segment on making your own comic book art, creating your superhero emblem, and much more. It’s a very interesting idea and I think it’ll be a great attraction for any comic book fans to see what a great impact the culture of comic books has on Native American life.

Visit the Comic Art Indigène website for more information on this event or, if you live in the area, go see the event for yourself! It opens today and will be running until January 4th, 2009 at the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

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