#BiggerQuestions constrained comics exercise; weaving scattered wordless panels into a graphic narrative.

On 4 February 201819 April 2018 By Nicolas VerstappenIn Braiding, ChiFouMi Association, Comics by CommDe Students, Drawn and Quarterly, Intro Comm, NILSEN, Anders, Programme in Communication Design (Chulalongkorn University), Silent (or almost), Thai Comics, WorkshopLeave a comment

#BiggerQuestions: in-class creative assignment (Intro Comm course developed by the Faculty of Communication Arts; Interpersonal Communication chapter); weaving 7 scattered wordless panels (taken from Anders Nilsen‘s Big Questions) into a 2-page graphic narrative.

BLURB!

“Great exercise!” Matt Madden (February 9, 2018), cartoonist and teacher best known for his book 99 Ways to Tell a Story: Exercises in Style (Penguin), as well as a member of OuBaPo (Workshop for Potential Comics), and later a French knight in the Order of Arts and Letters.

“More good stuff from [Bangkok], thanks for sharing!” Nick Sousanis (February 9, 2018), assistant professor of Humanities & Liberal Studies at San Francisco State University. He received his doctorate in education at Teachers College, Columbia University in 2014, where he wrote and drew his dissertation entirely in comic book form. Titled Unflattening, it argues for the importance of visual thinking in teaching and learning, and was published by Harvard University Press in 2015.

January 2018. Fifty (1st year) Thai students at the International Program in Communication Design (CommDe, Department of Industrial Design, Faculty of Architecture, Chulalongkorn University) received 2 pages displaying 7 scattered panels (with erased text) taken from various pages of the graphic novel Big Questions by American cartoonist Anders Nilsen. Within 90 minutes, they had to produce additional panels (if necessary) -and add dialogues- in order to bridge the imposed panels and weave a cohesive and convincing graphic narrative. Following brief comments provided on their comprehensive layouts, students finalized the artwork at home. See below for 20+ of their #BiggerQuestions constrained comics.

Inspired by on a constrained comics exercise used at Pierre Feuille Ciseaux international comics residency-lab.

BQ 01 02 ref — Pages from **Anders Nilsen**‘s **Big Questions** (Drawn & Quarterly, 2011).

BQ 01 02 — The 2 imposed pages -with scattered panels and blanked-out dialogues- taken from **Anders Nilsen**‘s **Big Questions** (Drawn & Quarterly, 2011).

20180108_233504[1] — CommDe student bridging the gaps between **Anders Nilsen**‘s panels.

CommDe students working on a “exercise in style”… with style!

CommDe student bridging the gaps between Anders Nilsen’s incomplete and scattered panels.

CommDe students bridging the gaps between Anders Nilsen’s incomplete and scattered panels.

Fifty CommDe students bridging the gaps between Anders Nilsen’s incomplete and scattered panels.

Click on the 2-pagers below for larger size.

01 PLYE — “Bigger Questions” constrained comics by (1st year) CommDe student **PLYE**

YOSHIYUKI 01 02 — “Bigger Questions” constrained comics by (1st year) CommDe student **YOSHIYUKI**

BYRD 01 02 — “Bigger Questions” constrained comics by (1st year) CommDe student **BYRD**

02 PT — “Bigger Questions” constrained comics by (1st year) CommDe student PT

SASINAN 01 02 def — “Bigger Questions” constrained comics by (1st year) CommDe student **SASINAN** (PING)

CHICHI 01 02 — “Bigger Questions” constrained comics by (1st year) CommDe student **CHICHI**

OOM 01 02 — “Bigger Questions” constrained comics by (1st year) CommDe student **OOM**

AOM P 01 02 — “Bigger Questions” constrained comics by (1st year) CommDe student **AOM (P.)**

TAT 01 02 — “Bigger Questions” constrained comics by (1st year) CommDe student **TAT**

PHURICH 01 02 — “Bigger Questions” constrained comics by (1st year) CommDe student **PHURICH**

SHARON 01 02 — “Bigger Questions” constrained comics by (1st year) CommDe student **SHARON**

BASK 01 02 — “Bigger Questions” constrained comics by (1st year) CommDe student **BASK**

EVE 01 02 — “Bigger Questions” constrained comics by (1st year) CommDe student **EVE**

NENE 01 02 — “Bigger Questions” constrained comics by (1st year) CommDe student **NENE**

AOM T 01 02 — “Bigger Questions” constrained comics by (1st year) CommDe student **AOM (T.)**

FAHSAI 01 02 — “Bigger Questions” constrained comics by (1st year) CommDe student **FAHSAI**

LUKPEAR 01 02 — “Bigger Questions” constrained comics by (1st year) CommDe student **LUKPEAR**

SUNNY 01 02 — “Bigger Questions” constrained comics by (1st year) CommDe student **SUNNY**

PLOY 01 02 — “Bigger Questions” constrained comics by (1st year) CommDe student **PLOY**

MIM 01 02 — “Bigger Questions” constrained comics by (1st year) CommDe student **MIM**

KARIN 01 02 — “Bigger Questions” constrained comics by (1st year) CommDe student **KARIN**

MICK 01 02 — “Bigger Questions” constrained comics by (1st year) CommDe student **MICK**

PEACHY 01 02 — “Bigger Questions” constrained comics by (1st year) CommDe student **PEACHY**

KRIS 01 02 — “Bigger Questions” constrained comics by (1st year) CommDe student **KRIS**

“Comics” Field Trip and Lectures at the National University of Singapore (Dec. 2017)

On 24 January 201824 January 2018 By Nicolas VerstappenIn Faculty of Communication Arts (Chulalongkorn University), Talks, Thai ComicsLeave a comment

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It was an honor and a pleasure to visit the prestigious National University of Singapore with khun Cue and 15 junior students in the International Program of Communication Management (Faculty of Communication Arts, Chulalongkorn University), and to give a short lecture on the development of Thai Comics during the first half of the 20th century. Our warm thanks to our host Associate Professor Dr. Ian Gordon, Head of the Department of History (NUS), and to Associate Professor Dr. Titima Suthiwan, Director of the Centre for Language Studies (NUS). We also want to thank Singaporean comics scholar Lim Cheng Tju for his presentation on “Consumption of Manga and Anime in Singapore”! Glad we were able to share perspectives on South-East Asian Comics, Manga and… Superman (as Dr. Ian Gordon is the author of Superman: The Persistence of an American Icon)!

Singaporean comics scholar Lim Cheng Tju holding his presentation on “Consumption of Manga and Anime in Singapore”.

Yours truly introducing CommArts “Graphic Writing” course to our hosts.

Slide from the presentation on Thai Comics (and localized American superheroes).

Discussion with Associate Professor Dr. Ian Gordon, Head of the Department of History (NUS).

This faculty field trip also gave me the opportunity to prepare our CommArts students for next semester’s Creative/Graphic Writing for Printed Matter course! Comics Shopping Day in Singapore!

Comics Shopping Day in Singapore; at GnB Comics, at Comics World, and at Kinokuniya.

Singaporean purchase: “Black Hammer tpb #1” (because Luc Brunschwig says it’s good), Thai Comics “The Sister’s Luck” by Shari Chankhamma, Anders Nilsen’s “Wolverine” (in “The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl – Zine Issue”), and “Superman: The Persistence of an American Icon” by Ian Gordon (thank you, Ian, for the gift).

A week before the field trip, great discussion at CommArts on Thai, Singaporean and ASEAN comics & cartoons with Lim Cheng Tju and CommArts alumnus Albert Potjes!

Selection of Thai Comics Art for the “Mangasia” International Exhibition

On 24 January 201824 January 2018 By Nicolas VerstappenIn Events, Exhibition, Faculty of Communication Arts (Chulalongkorn University), History of Comics, Original Art, Thai ComicsLeave a comment

Mangasia

Thai Comics (comic books & rare original artworks) are on display at the Mangasia: Wonderlands of Asian Comics exhibition, Palazzo delle Esposizioni, Rome, Italy. Curated by Paul Gravett and a team of over twenty advisors, and developed by The Barbican Centre, the 5-year world-touring exhibition presents the largest ever selection of original artworks from Asian comics. For the first time at an international level, Thai Comics are well represented; original artworks from Thai master cartoonists p’Tawee Witsanukorn (and classic 5-baht ghost comic books of Krasue Sao, 1968), p’Raj Lersroung (Singh Dam), p’Padung “Aoh” Kraisri (Noo-Hin), and p’Suttichart Sarapaiwanich (Joe the Sea-Cret Agent); comic books by p’Hem Vejakorn (Ngo Paa), p’Sawas Jutharop (Phra Apai Manee), p’Pakdee “Tai” Santaweesuk (PangPond); issues of the famous KaiHuaRoh magazine; rare issues of “one-baht comics”; as well as various video clips (Noo-Hin: The Movie, Noo-Hin animated clip, Joe the Sea-Cret Agent animated clip). My heartfelt thanks to Paul, the Barbican Center, and all the Thai publishers and artists involved in this meaningful project. Special thanks to Chulalongkorn University students Birdme, Suttiarpa and Kaikaew for your invaluable assistance; I could not have fulfilled my role of “advisor on Thai Comics” without your help! Aj. Nicolas Verstappen

“From left to right: Thai cartoonist p’**Tawee Witsanukorn**’s **Krasue Sao** original artwork, **Azisa Noor**‘s **Kalasandhi**, the **Krasue Sao** collection, four Thai one-baht horror/folklore comics, a page of artwork from
**Al Sanchez** for the Filipino comic **Maling Akala**, five-baht comics of **Krasue Sao** #1 and lastly **Daijiro Morohoshi**’s **Mud Men**“. *Mangasia: Wonderlands of Asian Comics* exhibition, Palazzo delle Esposizioni, Rome, Italy. Picture credit: Paolo Darra.

Mangasia Krasue 2 — First issue of the classic 5-baht ghost comic book series **Krasue Sao** (1968) by Thai master cartoonists p’**Tawee Witsanukorn** on display at the *Mangasia: Wonderlands of Asian Comics* exhibition, Palazzo delle Esposizioni, Rome, Italy. Picture credit: Hashimoto Izumi.

“From top to bottom: **Eldo Yoshimizu**‘s **Ryuko** artworks, and Thai cartoonist **Raj Lersroung**’s **Singh Dam** artworks (commission for **Somboon Hormtientong**‘s exhibition).” *Mangasia: Wonderlands of Asian Comics* exhibition, Palazzo delle Esposizioni, Rome, Italy. Photo credit: Paolo Darra.

Mangasia Raj — Two original pages of the classic adventure comics series **Singh Dam** (“สิงห์ดำ”, 1960s and 2013) by Thai master cartoonist p’**Raj Lersroung** (ราช เลอสรวง) on display at the *Mangasia: Wonderlands of Asian Comics* exhibition, Palazzo delle Esposizioni, Rome, Italy. Picture credit: @diegotheghostt.

Joe NooHin Mangasia — Original page of **Joe the Sea-Cret Agent** (the first Thai alternative comics, launched in 1998) by cartoonist p’**Suttichart Sarapaiwanich** on display (next to an original **Noo-Hin** cover art by p’**Padung “Aoh” Kraisri**) at the *Mangasia: Wonderlands of Asian Comics* exhibition, Palazzo delle Esposizioni, Rome, Italy. ©Suttichart Sarapaiwanich. Picture credit (detail): Palazzo delle Esposizioni.

Mangasia noo — Original **Noo-Hin** cover art by p’**Padung “Aoh” Kraisri**, published by ขายหัวเราะ (*KaiHuaRoh* magazine, Banluesarn). *Mangasia* exhibition (Rome, Italy). Picture credit: Daruma View.

Mangasia Noo 2 — Clip of **Noo-Hin: The Movie** (top right). *Mangasia* exhibition (Rome, Italy). Screenshot from a video by Daruma View.

Joe 01 — Original page of **Joe the Sea-Cret Agent** (the first Thai alternative comics, launched in 1998) by cartoonist p’**Suttichart Sarapaiwanich** on display at the *Mangasia: Wonderlands of Asian Comics* exhibition, Palazzo delle Esposizioni, Rome, Italy. ©Suttichart Sarapaiwanich Picture credit: Nicolas Verstappen

“From left to right: **Jim Fernandez** artwork for **Casa Negra**, Thai cartoonist **Sawas Jutharop**’s adaptation of **Phra AphaiManee**, Thai one-baht sleep rape comic, and Indonesian **Neraka**’ hell comic.” *Mangasia: Wonderlands of Asian Comics* exhibition, Palazzo delle Esposizioni, Rome, Italy. Picture credit: Paolo Darra.

#UltraVioletChallenge constrained comics exercise; turning an abstract comics into a figurative one.

On 18 January 201818 September 2018 By Nicolas VerstappenIn Abstraction (or related), ChiFouMi Association, Comics by CommDe Students, Intro Comm, Non classé, Programme in Communication Design (Chulalongkorn University), Thai Comics, Thailand, Waffle Iron1 Comment

#UltraVioletChallenge: “Making Sense of Signs (and Fragments)” in-class creative assignment (“Intro Comm” & “Visual Media Studies” courses developed by the Faculty of Communication Arts; Semiotics chapter); create a figurative comics based on an imposed abstract comics (duration: 90′). Based on a constrained comics exercise used at Pierre Feuille Ciseaux international comics residency-lab.

BLURB!

“Brilliant – thanks for sharing!” Nick Sousanis (January 16, 2018; commenting the page by Fern, Lukpearr, Oom & Bank), assistant professor of Humanities & Liberal Studies at San Francisco State University. He received his doctorate in education at Teachers College, Columbia University in 2014, where he wrote and drew his dissertation entirely in comic book form. Titled Unflattening, it argues for the importance of visual thinking in teaching and learning, and was published by Harvard University Press in 2015.

Imposed abstract comics page #UltraVioletChallenge

20180918_213344

20180918_213443 — Students from the Faculties/Departments of Architecture (INDA), Communication Design (CommDe), Language & Culture (BALAC), and Engineering (ISE) creating their #UltraViolet comics. August 23, 2018. Visual Media Studies course, INDA, Chulalonglorn University.

SOME RESULTING NARRATIVES:

Absract 01 Fern Lukpear Oom Bank — #UltraVioletChallenge final page by Fern, Lukpearr, Oom & Bank, fresh.wo.men students at CommDe, Chulalongkorn University.

05 Arty Pin Darnis — #UltraVioletChallenge final page by Arty, Pin & Darnis, junior students at CommDe, Chulalongkorn University.

01 Pim Fa Pat — #UltraVioletChallenge final page by Pin, Fa & Pat, sophomore students at INDA, Chulalongkorn University.

03 Gap Yong — #UltraVioletChallenge final page by Gap & Yong, junior students at CommDe, Chulalongkorn University.

04 Iced Deedee Fern Jam — #UltraVioletChallenge final page by Iced, Deedee, Fern & Jam, junior students at INDA, Chulalongkorn University.

02 Uang New Wee — #UltraVioletChallenge final page by New, Uang and Wee, junior students at CommDe, Chulalongkorn University.

20180918_213302 — Students from the Faculties/Departments of Architecture (INDA), Communication Design (CommDe), Language & Culture (BALAC), and Engineering (ISE) creating their #UltraViolet comics. August 23, 2018. Visual Media Studies course, INDA, Chulalonglorn University.

BELOW: #UltraVioletChallenge final page by Thai cartoonist Supachai Jack Jirakoup

UltraViolet Supachai — #UltraVioletChallenge final page by Thai cartoonist Supachai Jack Jirakoup

“When Manga, Franco-Belgian and American Comics Collide; Or the Genesis of Thai Alternative Comics”; a lecture at Gakushuin University, Tokyo (Dec. 2016).

On 18 June 2017 By Nicolas VerstappenIn Events, Faculty of Communication Arts (Chulalongkorn University), Japan, Talks, Thai Comics, ThailandLeave a comment

During our 5-day field trip in Tokyo with coordinator P’Pum and 17 students of the Faculty of Communication Arts (International Program, Chulalongkorn University), we were welcomed by the prestigious Gakushuin University (Tokyo, Japan) to hold a lecture on the History of Thai Comics.

Suttichart

The lecture at Gakushuin University (Tokyo) was titled “When Manga, Franco-Belgian and American Comics Collide; Or the Genesis of Thai Alternative Comics.” It focused on presenting why I consider that the composite style of Thai pioneering alternative cartoonist Suttichart Sarapaiwanich on the series “Joe the Sea-Cret agent” is concurrently at the crossroads of American, Japanese and Franco-Belgian comics traditions and yet a remarkable artistic expression of ‘Thainess’ (and of the globalized and eclectic modern Thai way-of-life in the aftermath of the Tom Yum Goong crisis).

15542349_10153958340026933_6817606228998090534_n — Following Professor Natsume Fusanosuke-sensei to a beautiful building of the prestigious Gakushuin University, Tokyo.

15585191_10153958362711933_6212888394703362298_o — “Konban-wa. Gakushuin Daigaku no minasama, **Fusanosuke Natsume**-sensei, Shiina Yukari-san, soshite Kensuke Noda-san, konkai no event o kaisai site kudasari. Watashi, Pum-san to Thai no gakusei nittote, totemo kouei na koto desu. Arigato gozaimasu”. My heartfelt thanks again to Gakushuin University for the warm welcome, to Natsume-sensei for the invitation, to Yukari-san for translating my messy sentences, and to Yukari-san & Kensuke-san for the organization! It’s been a wonderful evening!
And Arigato gozaimasu Watanabe Kanako-san for the text in Japanese! ありがとうございました! Photo by P’Pum.

Thai comics (Sawas Jutharop & “Khun Muen”, 1936). Photo by Yanner Chen.

Thai comics (Suttichart Sarapaiwanich & “JOE the SeaCret Agent”, 1998). Photo by Yanner Chen.

Note 000 — Presenting the work of highly influential Thai cartoonist Eakasit Thairaat. Photo by Note.

Note 005 — So tired… Can’t understand Natsume-sensei questions anymore… Sumimasen!!! Photo by Note.

15443247_10153958385221933_4825534267932612651_o — Delicious buffet organized by Gakushuin University after the lecture for all our CommArts students and attending audience. And honor, again, to be invited, to meet and to discuss with Natsume-sensei! ありがとうございました! KANPAÏ! Photo by P’Pum.

15577889_10153958383711933_8546511015083398798_o — ありがとうございました! KANPAÏ!

15541026_10153958386346933_8863301912266624931_o — Deeply honored to meet and discuss with Ono Kosei-sensei, a leading authority in Manga, Comics and Film criticism! ありがとうございました

“Female Voices in Comics Art: Sharing Perspectives from Thailand, Spain, Japan and the U.S.A.” Round Table

On 18 June 2017 By Nicolas VerstappenIn Events, Faculty of Communication Arts (Chulalongkorn University), Japan, Non classé, Programme in Communication Design (Chulalongkorn University), Spain, Talks, Thai Comics, ThailandLeave a comment

FEMALE VOICES IN COMICS ART DEF copy

The round table “Female Voices in Comics Art: Sharing Perspectives from Thailand, Spain, Japan and the U.S.A.” was held on Friday, March 10, at the BACC (Bangkok Art and Culture Center) during the HeForShe Arts Week Bangkok (UN Women for Asia and the Pacific) in collaboration with the Embassy of Spain in Bangkok (Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores y de Cooperación de España). It was a rich, meaningful and cheerful talk with an amazing panel composed of Thai artist Tunlaya Dunn, Thai-American artist Kathy MacLeod, Spanish artist Carla Berrocal (also curator of the PRESENTES exhibition, and my Thai colleague & Manga scholar Aj. Mashima Tojirakarn (PhD. candidate, University of Kyoto). I’ve been honoured to act as the moderator of this round table (thank you again Kathy for suggesting my name). The discussion focused on comics and women, and most interestingly, on gender equality in the industry, as well as on the rise of female voices in Thai Comics, and on the rich history of Spanish comics by female cartoonists (PRESENTES exhibition). I would like to extend my warmest thanks to HeForShe Arts Week Bangkok’s curators Alejandro Hita & David Fernández for the organization of this whole week, and specific event, as well as Embassy of Spain in Bangkok’s representatives Maria Salcedo Ortiz (Deputy Head of Mission) & Joan Vicens Mestre for their invaluable participation to the event, and partners Chulalongkorn University & BACC. Thank you Carla, Kathy, Tunlaya & Mashima for the great talk! ขอบคุณมากนะครับ Pathumporn Tik Thongking for the wonderful pics!

Aj. Nicolas Verstappen

HFS-BACC10-78 — The “Here Comes Trouble” Dream Team! From right to left: my Thai colleague & Manga scholar Aj. Mashima Tojirakarn (PhD. candidate, University of Kyoto), Thai designer and cartoonist Tunlaya Dunn,Thai-American illustrator and cartoonist Kathy MacLeod, Spanish cartoonist and illustrator Carla Berrocal, HeForShe Arts Week BKK’s co-curator Alejandro Hita (UN Women), Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Spain in Bangkok Maria Salcedo Ortis, and yours truly.
Photo credits: UN Women/Pathumporn Tik Thongking

HFS-BACC10-62 — Presenting the guests of the “Female Voices in Comics Art” round table; Carla Berrocal, Kathy MacLeod, Tunlaya Dunn & Mashima Tojirakarn.
Photo credits: UN Women/Pathumporn Tik Thongking

HFS-BACC10-69 — Illustrator and cartoonist Kathy MacLeod discussing with the other guests of the “Female Voices in Comics Art” round table; Carla Berrocal, Tunlaya Dunn & Mashima Tojirakarn. Photo credits: UN Women/Pathumporn Tik Thongking

HFS-BACC10-87 — Women voices in the comics industry around the world. Thai female cartoonists Tongkarn, Vic-Mon & Chingching Krittiemmek confronting “Seng” Songwit Seakitikul (in his graphic novel “Almost All of Us”, Fullstop Books, and ขอบคุณมากนะครับ Birdme for the translation) in Thailand; the “**Collectif des créatrices de bande dessinée contre le sexisme**” (Female Comics Creators Against Sexism) in France and abroad; and “**Autoras de Cómic**” in Spain.
Photo credits: UN Women/Pathumporn Tik Thongking

HFS-BACC10-75 — My Thai colleague & Manga scholar Aj. Mashima Tojirakarn (University of Kyoto) discussing with the other guests of the “Female Voices in Comics Art” round table; Carla Berrocal, Tunlaya Dunn & Kathy MacLeod.
Photo credits: UN Women/Pathumporn Tik Thongking

HFS-BACC10-95 — Rich, meaningful and cheerful talk withthe guests of the “Female Voices in Comics Art” round table; Carla Berrocal (talking), Kathy MacLeod, Tunlaya Dunn & Mashima Tojirakarn.
Photo credits: UN Women/Pathumporn Tik Thongking

HFS-BACC10-77 — As a conclusion of the “Female Voices in Comics Art” round table, the presentation of a remarkable short comics (related to the topic of “violence against women”) composed for my course by Ms. **Arty Nicharee** (Entryh), a promising first-year student of the **International Program in Communication Design** (Department of Industrial Design, Faculty of Architecture, Chulalongkorn University).
Photo credits: UN Women/Pathumporn Tik Thongking

HFS-BACC10-93 — As a conclusion of the “Female Voices in Comics Art” round table, the presentation of a remarkable short comics (related to the topic of “violence against women”) composed for my course by Ms. **Arty Nicharee** (Entryh), a promising first-year student of the **International Program in Communication Design** (Department of Industrial Design, Faculty of Architecture, Chulalongkorn University).
Photo credits: UN Women/Pathumporn Tik Thongking

“Managing Creativity for Communicative Innovation” course (Jan-Apr 2017)

On 12 March 201718 June 2017 By Nicolas VerstappenIn Comics by CommArts Students, Events, Exhibition, Faculty of Communication Arts (Chulalongkorn University), Iconic Iteration, Lab: Bang Bang You're Dead!, Mng Crea Comm Inno, Programme in Communication Design (Chulalongkorn University), Talks, Thai ComicsLeave a comment

The “Managing Creativity for Communicative Innovation” course (Communication Management, International Program, Faculty of Communication Arts, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand) has three main goals:

1) select, summarize and partly translate 9 Thai alternative comics, and contact a foreign publisher to get them signed abroad.

2) Publish, promote and distribute our own zine gathering the constrained comics composed by former “Graphic Writing” CommArts students.

3) Organize an exhibition of the “Traumics” (Comics on Trauma) composed by CommArts & CommDe (Program in Communication Design, Department of Industrial Design, Faculty of Architecture, Chulalongkorn University) students.

OFF3 — First special guest: khun Peataya Werasakwong, CEO of **Kai3** (a brand of tee-shirts whose designs are extended into zines, and an indie comics publishing house), and author of the graphic novel “Pandism: Virus Panda.” ขอบคุณมากๆครับ khun Peataya!

20x26 00 CommDefb — Second special guest: Belgian cartoonist & illustrator **Ephameron** for an afternoon of Comics Art Appreciation (with comments and tips). Students from the **International Program in Communication Design** (CommDe, Department of Industrial Design, Faculty of Architecture, Chulalongkorn University) presented their Traumics (or “Comics on Trauma”) in front of Ephameron and my CommArts students in order to select the trauma-related graphic narratives to be displayed in the exhibition. Bedankt Eva! ขอบคุณมากๆครับ CommDe for inviting Eva in the first place! This project was partly inspired by the literary educational comics produced by the award-winning non-profit (and our partner) **PositiveNegatives**.

10x13 12b — Ephameron giving comments and advices to a team of CommDe students presenting their Traumics (or “Comics on Trauma”).

CommDe student presenting her Traumics (or “Comics on Trauma”) to Ephameron and CommArts students.

CommDe student presenting his Traumics (or “Comics on Trauma”) to Ephameron and CommArts students.

A team of CommDe students presenting their Traumics (or “Comics on Trauma”) to Ephameron and CommArts students.

CommDe student presenting her Traumics (or “Comics on Trauma”) to Ephameron and CommArts students.

A team of CommDe student presenting their Traumics (or “Comics on Trauma”) to Ephameron and CommArts students.

CommDe student presenting her Traumics (or “Comics on Trauma”) to Ephameron and CommArts students.

A team of CommDe student presenting their Traumics (or “Comics on Trauma”) to Ephameron and CommArts students.

002 — Third special guest (or rather host): Spanish cartoonist, curator & illustrator **Carla Berrocal** offered us a private tour of the PRESENTES comics exhibition (Spanish Female Cartoonists of Yesterday and of Today). Discussion on the challenges (selecting pages, copyright issues, pairing different artists by themes or motifs…) offered by a Comics Art exhibition. Gracias Carla, Autoras de Cómic, and Maria & Joan from the Embassy of Spain in Bangkok. Thank you HeForShe Arts Week Bangkok, UN Women Asia and Pacific, and BACC (Bangkok Art Cultural Center)!

Third special guest (or rather host): Spanish cartoonist, curator & illustrator Carla Berrocal offered us a private tour of the PRESENTES comics exhibition (Spanish Female Cartoonists of Yesterday and of Today). Here presenting the work of internationally renown Spanish cartoonist Ana Miralles Lopez. Gracias Carla, Autoras de Cómic, and Maria & Joan from the Embassy of Spain in Bangkok. Thank you HeForShe Arts Week Bangkok, UN Women Asia and the Pacific, and BACC (Bangkok Art and Culture Center)!

At the PRESENTES comics exhibition (Spanish Female Cartoonists of Yesterday and of Today). Detail of a page by Spanish female cartoonist Maria Pascual (1933-2011).

At the PRESENTES comics exhibition (Spanish Female Cartoonists of Yesterday and of Today). Detail of a page by Spanish female cartoonist Mireia Pérez (1984-).

PRESENTES exhibition catalogue (Spanish Female Cartoonists of Yesterday and of Today). Spanish female cartoonist Núria Pompeia (1931-2016).

17273499_10154181613371933_67215199_o — Writing the editorial content of our “Bang Bang You’re Dead” constrained comics zine, inspired by the OuBaPian experimental comics by Lewis Trondheim & Jean-Christophe Menu. Trying to explain, as clearly and shortly as possible, the multimodal challenges faced by CommArts students while composing their graphic narratives (using “iconic iteration” with limited sets of panels drawn by European cartoonists **Pierre Alary**, **Sacha Goerg** & **Joseph Falzon** specially for our “Graphic Writing” course).

Writing the editorial content of our “Bang Bang You’re Dead” constrained comics zine, inspired by the OuBaPian experimental comics by Lewis Trondheim & Jean-Christophe Menu. Trying to explain, as clearly and shortly as possible, the multimodal challenges faced by CommArts students while composing their graphic narratives (using “iconic iteration” with limited sets of panels drawn by European cartoonists Pierre Alary, Sacha Goerg & Joseph Falzon specially for our “Graphic Writing” course).

After hours to complete the editorial content of our “Bang Bang You’re Dead” constrained comics zine…

Partly translating one of the 9 Thai alternative comics selected to be presented to a foreign publisher in order to get them signed abroad.

OFF — Masterclass on “Animated Film Festivals and Markets” with Geraldine Baché, head of Animation du Monde (MIFA-Annecy) at the RENDEZ-VOUS FRANCO-THAÏ DE L’ANIMATION (Embassy of France in Thailand, in collaboration with the World Film Festival of Bangkok, Mahidol University International College, SF Cinema and TK Park). Photograph by ‘Rendez-Vous Franco-Thaï de l’Animation.’

OFF2 — Thai films selected at the Annecy International Animated Film Festival. During the masterclass on “Animated Film Festivals and Markets” with Geraldine Baché, head of Animation du Monde (MIFA-Annecy) at the RENDEZ-VOUS FRANCO-THAÏ DE L’ANIMATION (Embassy of France in Thailand, in collaboration with the World Film Festival of Bangkok, Mahidol University International College, SF Cinema and TK Park).

20170324_144729 — Our fourth special guest; Ms. Pimpicha Utsahajit, Executive Director of Banlue Publications & CommArts alumnus, hold a talk on leading multi-platform content provider **Banlue Group**, with Banlue Sarn (humour comics magazines “**Kai Hua Roh**” and “Maha Sanook”), **Vithita Animation**, **Salmon Books** (publisher of alternative comics among others), digital platform **MiniMore**, **Salmon House** (production house of motion contents), Banlue Books, trendy free magazine **Giraffe**, or **The MATTER** and **Pixniq** among many other innovative content platforms! ขอบคุณมากๆครับ Ms. Pimpicha for the inspiring lecture and case studies (character development & licensing), and sharing with us your experience and expertise in so many fields!

With our fourth special guest; Ms. Pimpicha Utsahajit, Executive Director of Banlue Publications & CommArts alumnus.

Zine 02 — Making Small Press the CommArts way; a Taylorist approach. For reasons beyond their will, my 20 students had only 3 hours -including their zine-making formation- to produce the 300 copies of the inaugural issue of our Constrained & Collaborative Comics Zine Series “**Bang Bang You’re Dead!**“. Challenge almost met with 281 issues produced, whilst avoiding too many flawed copies and finger losses…

Making Small Press the CommArts way; a Taylorist approach.

Bang FB — The inaugural issue of the comics zine series “**Bang Bang You’re Dead!**” edited & published by the students of the “Managing Creativity for Communicative Innovation” course, and collecting the experimental, thrilling & collaborative works of 8 CommArts students with European cartoonists **Pierre Alary**, **Sacha Goerg** & **Joseph Falzon,** under a cover by Thai cartoonist **Note Piruck** and with a free ‘Phi Krasue’ postcard by French cartoonist **Tamia Baudouin** (only for the first printing)! Limited to 300 copies, the zine will be distributed worldwide thanks to our French partner **L’Association ChiFouMi**! Our thanks are also due to khun Satya @Rabbit4Print, and Thai cartoonist **Tunlaya Dunn** for the logo design & inspiration!
A word from the editorial team: “As evoked in its title, the ‘Bang Bang You’re Dead!’ zine invokes the playful yet serious aspects of constrained comics composition. Based on sets of speechless comics panels drawn especially for their Graphic Writing course by European cartoonists, 34 Thai senior students of the four-year program in Strategic Communication Management at the Faculty of Communication Arts, Chulalongkorn University (Bangkok, Thailand), duplicated, reframed, and combined the imposed drawings -with addition of textual elements- to create imaginative stories of their own. Without any particular drawing formation and facing the numerous and overlapping challenges posed by comics composition, our Faculty seniors were able to overcome the constraint of iconic iteration by thinking out of the box, using their creativity to cross formal, modal, cultural, and national borders.”

20170331_135607 — Field trip with the editorial & production team of the inaugural issue the EuroThai Comics Zine “**Bang Bang You’re Dead!**” at the Bangkok International Book Fair (Queen Sirikit National Convention Center). The zine was on sale at the booth of the Thai indie comics publishing house **Kai3**. ขอบคุณครับ khun Peataya. Followed by a visit of the booths of publishers who collaborated on our projects (Salmon Books, Typhoon Studio & LET’S Comic). ขอบคุณครับ!

The “Bang Bang You’re Dead!” zine was on sale at the booth of the Thai indie comics publishing house KAI3.

20170412_071118 — Copies of the inaugural issue of our EuroThai Experimental Comics Zine Series “**Bang Bang You’re Dead!**” have safely arrived in Belgium. The zines are now available at the comics bookstore **Multi BD** in Brussels.

20170421_173017 — The inaugural issue of our EuroThai Experimental Comics Zine Series “Bang Bang You’re Dead!” is now available at the comics bookstore **Multi BD** in Brussels, Belgium.

20170407_151908 — Second objective of the “Managing Creativity for Communicative Innovation” course: to promote contemporary Thai Comix abroad. 8 teams of students. 8 Thai comics profiles (with summary, chapters translated into English, author bio, and pros & cons of each book to fit the French market and a specific publisher’s catalogue). 8 Thailand/France Skype sessions with Serge Ewenczyk, founder of the French independent comics publishing house **Çà et Là**. Proud of my students who did a tremendous and critical work there! Merci Serge pour ta disponibilité et ta marque d’intérêt! ขอบคุณมากครับ to the Thai editors for the complementary copies! Now, let’s all cross our fingers and see what the Future holds for Thai Comics! (On the picture: Serge Ewenczyk & the “Loser Rainbow (by Puck)” Team).

Serge Ewenczyk & the “EverybodyEverything (by Wisut Ponnimit)” Team.

Serge Ewenczyk & the “Missed (by Tuna Dunn)” Team.

Serge Ewenczyk & the “Diner by Incense Light (by Jung)” Team.

Serge Ewenczyk & the “Romance (by Wisut Ponnimit)” Team.

Serge Ewenczyk & the “NangMai (by Teerawat Thienprasit)” Team.

Poster Traumics DEF — The exhibition “Traumics: a Medium of Fragments for a Shattered Mind” displayed 18 short Trauma-related comics narratives all composed by students in the **Faculty of Communication Arts**, the **Communication Design Program** (Faculty of Architecture) and other Departments at Chulalongkorn University (Bangkok, Thailand). From refugee stories to household accidents, from domestic violence to genocides (Congo, Shoah, Khmer Rouges), being fictional, autobiographic or based on victim testimonies, these narratives intend to raise awareness on social and human rights issues. Inspired by the literary educational comics produced by the award-winning non-profit -and our partner- **PositiveNegatives**, this project also highlights the ability of Comics Art -as a medium of fragments- to visually reveal how the minds of the victims were broken into pieces. As mentioned in the introduction to the Call for Papers for the conference **Traumics: Comics Narratives of Trauma**, comics -“with their syntax of panels, gutters, and pages and their use of the evocative power of image in conjunction with the precise communication of text- (…) are uniquely suited to delivering narratives of trauma.”
The opening night was held on the 5th of May 2017 from 5pm until 7pm at the first floor of the Faculty of Communication Arts (Chulalongkorn University), in the presence of our guest of honour Songsin Tiewsomboon, author of famous graphic novels such as “Nine Lives” and the series “Beansprout and Firehead” & “Bobby Swingers.”
The exhibition “Traumics: a Medium of Fragments for a Shattered Mind” was organized and curated by the students of the “Managing Creativity for Communicative Innovation” course, Communication Management, International Program, Faculty of Communication Arts, Chulalongkorn University (Bangkok, Thailand).

20170503_075036 — Last project for the students of the “Managing Creativity for Communicative Innovation” course; to mount the exhibition “Traumics: a Medium of Fragments for a Shattered Mind” displaying 18 Trauma-related comics narratives composed by students at Chulalongkorn University.

Mounting the exhibition “Traumics: a Medium of Fragments for a Shattered Mind” displaying 18 Trauma-related comics narratives composed by students at Chulalongkorn University.

20170505_130706 — “Framing – Unframing – Reframing”, or mounting the exhibition “Traumics: a Medium of Fragments for a Shattered Mind” displaying 18 Trauma-related comics narratives composed by students at Chulalongkorn University.

20170505_233420 — Opening of the “Traumics: a Medium of Fragments for a Shattered Mind” in the presence of our guest of honour Songsin Tiewsomboon, author of famous graphic novels such as “Nine Lives” and the series “Beansprout and Firehead” & “Bobby Swingers”, of graphic designer Ms. View, and of Thai alternative comics pioneer Suttichart Sarapaiwanich (“Joe the Sea-Cret Agent”).

Ms. Tee Tanyanurak, aka Sasi Tee, visiting the “Traumics: a Medium of Fragments for a Shattered Mind” exhibition .

Visit of Thai graphic designers khun Phatchara Pantanakul & khun Kullawat Kanjanasoontree (also author of the great Gekiga-style short comics “คดีทิ้งไฟ”, or “The Arson Case” in the “LET’S Comic Forbidden” issue).

Visitors.

Visit by Thai alternative comics pioneer Suttichart Sarapaiwanich (“Joe the Sea-Cret Agent”).

Visitor.

Opening in the presence of graphic novelist extraordinaire Songsin Tiewsomboon (“Nine Lives” and the series “Beansprout and Firehead” & “Bobby Swingers”, and our guest of honour), graphic designer Ms. View, and Thai alternative comics pioneer Suttichart Sarapaiwanich (“Joe the Sea-Cret Agent”) and CommArts students.

20170506_080255 — With polyptych, iconic iteration, bleed, braiding, narrative use of colours, parallel timelines, palindrome-like/mirror device, loop format, and other experimental features, or being straightforward visual narratives, the 18 Trauma-related short comics composed by students at Chulalongkorn University make full use of the hybrid art form to depict the victims’ shattered and alienated minds (and bodies), in order to raise awareness on social and human rights issues (from refugee stories to household accidents, from social conformity to domestic violence or genocides; being fictional, autobiographic or based on victim testimonies). I couldn’t be prouder by the meaningful work produced by Chulalongkorn University students from various Faculties; most of them being 1st year Thai students (and with a team of European exchange students), some of them without any prior artistic formation, and creating there their first ever comics. I only wish we could have displayed more of the dozens of Traumics created over the past two years. So many were equally deserving to be shown, and they will at some point, when I find the time, **over here**. To all, your works being displayed or not, artists or exhibition curators from the Mngt Comm Crea Inno course, for your talent and hard work, ขอบคุณมากนะครับ! Aj. Nicolas Verstappen

Traumics (Trauma-related comics) composed by students at Chulalongkorn University.

20170210_151739 — Well-deserved rest after 4 intensive months of work! ;^)

“Nailed”, a Silent Graphic Narrative by a Student of the ‘Imaginative Communication’ Course (Nov. 2016)

On 26 November 2016 By Nicolas VerstappenIn Comics by CommArts Students, Dream/Subconscious, Faculty of Communication Arts (Chulalongkorn University), Imgt Comm, Psychic Trauma, Silent (or almost), Thai ComicsLeave a comment

“Nailed” is a silent graphic narrative by Thai student Rattanakorn (Mim) for the IMGT COMM course (2800217), November 2016. In response to a video (see below) where a young child is the victim of a cruel joke perpetrated by adults, her comics captures how the child’s inner world is shattered by the traumatic psychological abuse and how it will affect his late life.

Description of the Imaginative Communication course: “Methods of conversing emotions, feelings, ideas, values, beliefs and meaning of life through the languages of the imaginative world in the form of poetry, music and songs, literature, drama, film or other creative works of Thai and foreign artists; relationship between science and art of communications; media design for imaginative works; analysis of images and narratives.” This semester’s theme: “Psychic Trauma; To Say the Unutterable”. Communication Management, International Program, Faculty of Communication Arts, Chulalongkorn University.

“The Wave”, a Graphic Narrative by Students of the ‘Imaginative Communication’ Course (Nov. 2016)

On 5 November 20165 November 2016 By Nicolas VerstappenIn Comics by CommArts Students, Iconic Iteration, Imgt Comm, Psychic Trauma, Thai ComicsLeave a comment

“The Wave” is a graphic narrative (on the themes of psychological fright, phobia and school bullying) by Thai students Jinwara (Sugar) and Rattanakorn (Mim) for the IMGT COMM course (2800217), November 2016.

A clever use of potentialities and features of the comics form (layout, composition, design, text/image relationship, iconic solidarity, iconic iteration…) to serve the content.

Reproduced with the authors’ permission. All rights remain to the authors.

“YVES – My Life as a Refugee”, a Graphic Narrative by Chalit & June (April 2016)

On 13 May 20162 June 2016 By Nicolas VerstappenIn Adaptation, Comics by CommArts Students, Faculty of Communication Arts (Chulalongkorn University), Imgt Comm, Psychic Trauma, Thai Comics2 Comments

A graphic narrative (on the topic of ‘War Trauma’ and/or ‘War Refugees’) by Thai students Chalit Ratapana (Faculty of Communication Arts; adaptation/script) and June (Pareploy Maneerut; Faculty of Political Science; art) – based on the true story of Yves -a Congolese refugee who survived ethnic cleansing- (Sanctuary Australia Foundation) – as an assignment for my Imaginative Communication course (2800217), April 2016.

Update: The Sanctuary Australia Foundation, which offered a safe haven to Yves, has decided to publish the 4-page comics alongside Yves’ original testimony. I guess the Foundation saw -as I did- how Chalit and June were able to capture and to express -skillfully, with power and sensitivity- the plight of an individual and how, at the same time, they grasped and shared the tragic fate experienced by too many. Crossing the borders of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Australia, Belgium and Thailand, crossing comics panel borders, so many boundaries were physically and symbolically overcome… I’m proud of you Chalit & June and I hope your graphic narrative will participate in “engaging audiences in conflicts and displacement crises that seem remote (…), especially when there appear to be no means of relating to the people in the stories” (to quote PositiveNegatives founder Benjamin Dix, see Comic as Art, Education and Advocacy). Thank you Chalit, June and Mark Hallam (from the Sanctuary Australia Foundation). And thank you, Yves, for your painful yet indispensable testimony. Best regards. Nicolas V.

Yves Sanctuary — Screenshot of the Sanctuary Australia Foundation webpage with Chalit & June’s graphic narrative alongside Yves’s original testimony.

Description of the Imaginative Communication course: “Methods of conversing emotions, feelings, ideas, values, beliefs and meaning of life through the languages of the imaginative world in the form of poetry, music and songs, literature, drama, film or other creative works of Thai and foreign artists; relationship between science and art of communications; media design for imaginative works; analysis of images and narratives.” This year’s theme: “Crossing Borders”. Communication Management, International Program, Faculty of Communication Arts, Chulalongkorn University.

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