NEWS

EDIT 04.20.09 - As part of my final project in Japanese Popular Culture, I am researching the Artist Alley community here in the United States. I have already taken information from my previous travels as well as closely, statistically, documented one particular event. The final product will be published here on DeviantART - but be warned, it will be long.

If you would like to provide me with information (quotes, experiences, opinions, etc), you can comment bellow, contact me on AIM/MSN, or e-mail me at fongmingyun@gmail.com .

The following is the best I can do to clarify, in writing, the issues that faces this community. I hope, if you are interested in being a con artist (no pun intended), that this short essay gives you insight into what you will encounter.


The Artist Alleys at American anime conventions differ greatly from the Japanese Comiket as well as those at United States' Comic, Science Fiction, and Fantasy conventions. Comiket is filled with doujinshi, amateur comics written by groups of people called "circles." American Comic Alleys have professional artists signing and selling his latest issues they worked on. On the other hand, at anime conventions, most artists are students, some of which have no interest in studying art professionally. Given the differences between each artist community, two major issues have arisen : fanart and crafts.

People are more likely to purchase things they are familiar with. Therefore, people buy fan art. Comiket thrives due to fan-made comics. Most American comic conventions frown on, or even restrict unlicensed fan art. However, many people who come to anime conventions treat the Artists' Alley as a handmade, sometimes cheaper, alternative to the Dealer's Room, where companies sell licensed merchandise. This has led to a "bootleg flea market" atmosphere. Otakon, in Baltimore, Maryland, went through an issue where a handful of artists' fan work actually threatened dealers' profits and caused the con staff to hire lawyers to discuss the issue. Anime North, in Toronto, Ontario, is famous for "lowballing" where artists loudly sell their work less than market average to increase sales. All fan art only exists in a legal gray area of "parody," but if fan art were banned, many artists would not make enough money to support themselves.

However, at anime conventions, the term "fanart" has begun to encompass crafts as well. This broader interpretation of "art" means that more people are competing for the same number of spaces. In 2008, Anime Boston sold out of Alley tables in 34 seconds, and many people complained the system was "unfair." Traditionally, artists have sold prints. However, since shoppers prefer practical items, many people now make dolls, bags, and cosplay accessories. In turn, many illustration artists have delved into a trinket market. Keychains, buttons, stickers, with cute, semi-deformed, "chibi" are consistently popular, and sometimes make more money than printed work. This is especially true in a tough economy where people are unwilling to pay as much for a piece of colored paper. However, in trying to make items cheaper and more practical, the Alley has become more focused on "mass production" and come in direct competition with the Dealer's Room.

I wish I could explain this better, but the issues the Artist Alley has are all intertwined. Explaining one leads to explaining another. However, I hope my attempt at summary makes the situation clearer to those in and out of the anime artist community in America.


PS - I still need a job.

EDIT 04.17.09 - I have received the results of both of my interviews, and neither company will employ me for this summer. Therefore, if anyone wants to take me as an intern for this summer (paid or unpaid), I assure you I'm qualified, maybe even more than you're looking for (resume: [link] ). I am available for work beginning June 1.

Just in case, it looks like it might be a lot of conventions this year, so I really need your suggestions for a) your favorite Pokemon and b) fan art. So far, I kind of want to do Ike from Fire Emblem, Lelouche and Suzaku from Code Geass, the four main characters from D. Grayman, the four main characters from EVA, and Roy Mustang from FMA.

Okay, back to work.

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Thank you, =Nadda, for the sub.

LINKS

Please add me! I'll link you back:
Sketchblog: [link]
Website: [link]
Twitter: [link]

CON SCHEDULE

AnimeBoston - (Boston, MA), sharing with ~HiengT
A-Kon - (Dallas, TX), sharing with ~korilin
AnimeNext - (Somerset, NJ), most likely not sharing
Anime Expo - (Los Angeles, CA), most likely not sharing
(Otakon - tentative.)