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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 12, 1988)
Arts & Entertainment WHAT'S WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE ? V \ \ / A v \ -w?imzr\ ' mL_ Courtesy of Pantheon Books Ever Meulen's art from Raw #2 Reading Raw By Charles Lieurance “Read Yourself Raw,” edited by Art Spiegelman and Francoise Mouly, Pantheon Books, $14.95. In the early part of this century, a small group of artists, theorists and writ ers, far to the left of the surrealists and more committed to absurdity than the absurdists, began produc ing a body of works that, although obscure and ignored by all but a few academically cloistered ped ants, has had a lasting effect on every underground cultural move ment of the past 65 years. The movement these artists spawned was called Dadaand their chief theorist, Tristan Tzara, is sued manifesto after manifesto proclaiming the goals of the move ment: denial of form, reality, his tory and Dada itself. Most of Dada was as the name implies: theoreti cally substantiated gobbledygook buoyed by pedantic over-intcllec tualization. iviucn oi ii, nowevcr, grasped the absurd lone of this century, the mind-numbing effects of industri alism, urban sprawl, hyper-media and hyper-capitalism, more appro priately, humanely and, above all else, humorously, than any other modem cultural movement. Most critically acclaimed TV sitcoms — “Cheers,” “Buffalo Bill,’’“Taxi,”etc.—contain some elements of Dada. And under ground comics, comics for and by sophisticated adults, have always looked to Dada as a source of inspi ration. The magazine “Raw,” first published hy Art Spiegel man and Francoise Mouly in July 1980 is, perhaps, Dada’s most respected heir. “Raw’s” First three pioneer ing issues have been reprinted in one cover and titled “Read Your self Raw.” The book’s introduc tion is by Spiegclman, whose graphic novel “Maus: A Survivor’s Tale” has been ac claimed by some critics as a piece of modem literature. The first three issues feature work by “Zippy” creator Bill Griffith; Josh and Drew Friedman (published frequently in National Lampoon); and Spanish furniture, shoes and textiles designer Mariscal among many others. The graphic short stories range from bizarre blends of James Cain and Franz Kafka to the childlike punk ruminations of Gary Pantcr. Spiegclman, in the book’s in troduction, delivers a Tzara-esque manifesto for “Raw”: “Underground comics had of fered something really new. com ics by adults, for adults; comics that weren’t under any obligation to be funny, or escapist pulp; comics unsclf-consciously rede fining what comics should be, by smashing formal and stylistic, as well as cultural and political ta boos. At last, there was a comics avant-garde.” Inside there are several nods to the Dada spirit, including a story by French playwright Alfred Jarry, w ho created one of the best-known Dada characters: Pere Ubu. Ubu was featured in three Jarry plays. Jarry has since become a promi nent cult figure for underground and alternative comics, novels and music. Raw is suii piioiiMicu crimin ally and is available at Trade-a Tapc here in Lincoln. As an added bonus, this repackaging of “Raw” includes Mark Beyer’s “Terrors of the City” detachable color trading cards and Spiegclman’s full-color mini-comic “Two-Fisted Paint ers.” The color covers of the first three issues arc also intact. The comics here will hold little interest for those whose enjoyment of comics stops with “Garfield”; they are for those interested in a thriving, if not monetarily prosper ous, comic underground. Unfortu nately, the business of making comics as respectable as they are in Europe and Japan has shoved many of these artists further into obscurity. Most of the comics in “Raw” have qualities usually only associated with literature — a demanding sense of style, substan tive subject matter that is often distasteful for the squeamish, a sense of historical and political perspective, and an unabashed knowledge of cult cultural move ments like Dada, absurdism and surrealism. As the cover of “Read Yourself Raw” promises, this is a coffee table book for “damned intellectu als.” Shakespeare at the Bowl From Staff Reports The Ranch Bowl Entertainment Center (1606 S. 72nd St.) in Omaha, which started booking alternative bands last semester, will start off the new year with a performance by the Minneapolis band Trip Shakespeare tonight. Trip Shakespeare released an al bum this year called “Apple Head Man” on Gark Records. The band features a stand-up drummer. The show begins at 9 p.m. and admission cost is $2. The first draw of beer is free with a ticket. The ex-bass player for the Violent Femmes, Bryan Richie, will perform at the Ranch Bowl with Blind Idiot God on Jan. 26. Oklahoma’s Flaming Lips will perform Feb. 1 with Doctor’s Mob. Guadalcanal Diary will return to the venue on Feb. 14. The Ranch Bowl is in the process of booking Huskcr Du, John Calc, and Guns and Roses, according to owner Malt Markcl. I UnlbadVteM February 17, 1988 is the Deadline! All applications for the Student Health and Accident Insurance must be received by February 17, 1988. i Brochures and information are available at: UNIVERSITY HEALTH CENTER or call 472-7437 Check these points: • Am I still eligible for coverage under my parent’s plan? A. Is there an age limit? Most policies limit the age for dependent coverage to age 23. B. Are you thinking of marriage? Most policies exclude a dependent after he becomes married. • Have I declared financial independence from my parents by receiving financial aid. and no longer n? eligible as a dependent under their plan? J • Would a medical emergency deplete funds set set aside for my education?