Saturday, July 9, 2005
Comic art just off Bourbon in the Big Easy
A few weeks back, Comic Related went on a bit of a field trip in search of comic culture. Being the stalwart adventurers that we are, we found ourselves wandering the Big Easy staying in a nice little hotel just a block off Bourbon Street in the heart of New Orleans.
If you haven't been to New Orleans, trust us when we say it has a culture, a feel and a spirit unlike any other city we've visited. The town just oozes cool and has an air of the eclectic that, by day or by night, will win you over. Bourbon Street, Toulouse and Royal will call for your return. Since making it back, I've also felt that call for the music, the coffee (Cafe Du Monde!) and some of that sweet, sweet bayou cooking.
You may be asking what this has to do with comics. Well, during my visit I spent a lot of time taking in the art galleries that line Royal Street. One gallery in particular captured my eye, my imagination and, for a couple clicks, my camera. That shop was the Animazing Gallery located at 906 Royal Street in New Orleans.
As soon as you walk in the door, you are greeted by a mix of classic animation art and images that make you smile. Ranging from Charlie Brown to Scooby-Doo to Dr. Seuss, the colors and feel of the place immediately catch you in an infectious spirit. Take a few steps deeper into the gallery and the world of comics come to life. You'll discover the work of Alex Ross, Stan Goldberg, Bob Kane and Bruce Timm to name a few. Each of these names are quite familiar to comic fans and certainly earn the respect given by this gallery.
Taking some time to talk with gallery director Ted Capozziello and his partner in art Kim (pictured at the end of this commentary), it was easy to see that they don't view 
the imagery hanging on the wall as simple drawings or collectible bits of history. They see the pictures for exactly what they are, works of art worthy of any gallery display. When you look upon an Alex Ross portrait so honestly capturing the classic hero (like the Batman print on the right or the Justice League portrait below) you know you are looking at more than a basic comic image. Ted and Kim really appear to get that fact and I found the conversation and their enthusiasm refreshing, start to finish.
With that feel in mind, we had to share the slogan for Animazing Gallery which you can clearly read on the wall...
"Warning: This gallery is highly addictive; side effects include palpitations, incontinence, and severe loss of wall space, money, and inclination towards otherwise insignificant and frivolous purchases."
It's true. Animazing Gallery boasts and lives up to the very best in vintage and contemporary cels and drawings from all the major studios. The store showcases the art in a fun and creative way offering fans access to many important, contemporary masters. Comics as art? Yes it is and it is well deserved!
Okay, I have to admit that once I found the Alex Ross section, I wanted everything in the store. I even found myself looking longingly at the works of Ralph Bakshi (a true animation master in my book), Charles Schulz and Theodor Geisel (aka Dr. Seuss). It was also nice to see the critically acclaimed Peanuts paintings by Tom Everhart [click here to learn more] earning the honors they are due. Overall, it was quite an impressive collection and, as Ted explained while we spoke, "who says serious art collecting needs to be serious?" We here at Comic Related couldn't agree more.
Want a better look at the gallery? Check out some of their collection on the web at www.animazing.com. Also, don't miss their on-line photo event looking back at the gallery's grand opening. In New York anytime soon? In addition to the New Orleans home, Animazing Galleries can also be found in two locations in New York, Westchester and SoHo. In New Orleans any time soon? Stop by Animazing Gallery and tell Ted and Kim Comic Related sent you.
Ted Capozziello and Kim of Animazing Gallery
Return to the latest Related Recap
