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John McCarthy on MoCCA’s Things That Go Bump In The Night Ongoing Exhibit (PR)
posted October 16, 2007
 



The Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art (MoCCA) today announced that it is in final preparations for its upcoming exhibit: "Things That Go Bump …" opens on Saturday, October 13th, just in time for Halloween.

The exhibit focuses on iconic monsters and their role in comics and cartoons – and not just in horror comics. "These monsters are a part of horror," says the exhibit's co-curator, Jared Gniewek. "But they are frequently used as ironic gags or as metaphors for so much of what makes us human. That makes them adaptable to all sorts of different stories for all different age groups and all different genres."

This exhibit, which is appropriate for all ages, will feature ghosts, vampires, werewolves, zombies, witches, demons and devils. Favorites from the past as well as new creatures will be on display, including a focus on different interpretations of Dracula and Frankenstein's monster (including cereal monster Frankenberry), Hellboy, Elvira, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Teen Wolf, and Casper the Friendly Ghost, and much more. The exhibit will feature artwork from all aspects of the medium, including cartoon panels, comic strips, comic book pages, and animation art from artists such as Gene Colan, Dick Giordano, Tania del Rio, Michael Mignola, Paolo Rivera, Mike Royer, Joe Staton, Batton Lash, Mike Vosburg, and Gahan Wilson, among many others.

Mr. Gniewek is excited about this exhibit because he says, "This is more than a straight horror show. This is a reflection of the human psyche using icons of horror. Curating this exhibit is like hanging out with old friends… old friends that want to eat you."

The exhibit's co-curator is Bill Roundy, Secretary of MoCCA's Executive Board and Curatorial Chairperson. Darlene Elkanick is the assistant curator. The exhibit has been made possible through a grant from the Independence Community Foundation, with additional support from Weird Tales Magazine.

"Things That Go Bump in the Night" is guaranteed to be a treat for the entire family. The exhibit begins on October 12th, 2007 and runs through March 17th, 2008. A fundraising reception and masquerade party, which coincides with MoCCA's 6th anniversary will be held on Saturday October 27th at the museum. A closing party timed around St. Patrick's Day will follow in 2008.

The museum is currently seeking sponsors and donors to support the six-month run of the exhibition. All parties interested in making a donation of money or product should contact MoCCA's Executive Director, Matthew C. Murray at [email protected]. If you have an item you would like to donate and/or display as part of this showcase please contact Bill Roundy at [email protected] .

The museum is located at 594 Broadway, Suite 401 between Prince and Houston Streets. Hours are Friday through Monday from noon to five. Admission is only $5. Members are free.

The Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art (MoCCA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts education organization dedicated to the preservation, study and display of all forms of comic and cartoon art. The museum promotes greater understanding and appreciation of the artistic, cultural and historical significance of comic and cartoon art through a variety of events, exhibitions and educational programs. For more information about the museum or specific MoCCA events, exhibitions and programs visit the museum's website www.moccany.org or on myspace at www.myspace.com/moccany.