“Read the Room,” A Fascinating Glimpse into Sequential Art at Charlotte Street

In the heart of Kansas City, the enduring appeal of comic art takes center stage with a compelling exhibit christened “Read the Room.” This event displays works from 25 diverse comic artists from around the region and continues through July 13 at the Charlotte Street Foundation.

The exhibit aims to demonstrate the accessibility and imaginative flexibility inherent in comics and sequential art. “Read the Room” is most potent when showcasing comic pages in their intended sequence, allowing viewers to absorb extended narratives without the familiar act of turning a page.

A Diverse Array Of Comic Narratives

The stories on display span a wide gamut of themes and emotions. They are autobiographical, confessional, humorous, raw, ironic, realistic, outlandish, violent, contemplative, playful, educational, menacing, loving, disturbing, and even surreal. This diversity highlights the fact that sequential art isn’t confined to a single genre but rather a vigorously versatile medium.

Among the interesting exhibits, Jenny Jo Hrabe’s 12-page comic story, “What is PMDD?” stands out. It beautifully narrates Hrabe’s tumultuous relationship with her “shadow” self, created by premenstrual dysphoric disorder. Likewise, John F. Malta’s futuristic six-page “Rotten Metropolis Comic Pages” sketch interesting scenarios of the only survivor of a scientific experiment, questioning the merits of immortality.

The Influence Of Grids And Interactive Art Pieces

Beyond individual narratives, “Read the Room” implores viewers to observe how sequential artwork forms a grid, offering a unique transformative whole. Each grid forms an even larger “story” page, providing viewers with an insight into the creative process of the artists.

“Infinite @uck & Related Social Media Pieces,” – Joshua W. Cotter

Emphasizing this grid-pattern narrative is Joshua W. Cotter, with his compilation of 110 pages for “Infinite @uck & Related Social Media Pieces.” A remarkable journey to understand and process everyday American dystopia during the early pandemic presented in fleeting daily strips.

Although there are free reproductions in a compact newspaper format for viewers to directly interact with Joshua’s work, the mere sight of the original – pins clinging them to the gallery wall, serves as a tangible testament of the thought and effort that went into their creation.

A Showcase Of Diverse Art Forms

“Read the Room” also celebrates artworks that don’t fit the traditional definition of a comic. These include paintings, drawings, and sculptures influenced by the elemental aura of comic culture and the pop-culture zeitgeist. For instance, Barbara Lane Tharas’s eerily elongated Raggedy Ann doll-like sculptures invite viewers for a curious interaction while shedding light on the comic-inspired aesthetics.

Workshop With Comic Artists

Intriguingly, “Read the Room” extends beyond just being an art exhibit. As part of this exhibit, a workshop will be held on June 26, from 6 to 8 p.m., with the co-curator and artist Jason Lips on cartooning and journaling leading to creating an autobiographical memory comic. It’s an event open to all ages, with an aim to engage adults and teenagers.

“Read the Room” continues at Charlotte Street, 3333 Wyoming St., through July 13. Visitors can drop by between noon to 5 p.m. from Tuesday to Friday and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday. For more information, dial 816.221.5115 or visit the Charlotte Street Foundation’s website.