Thu, Nov 26 2009
|
|
Published October 23, 2009 11:26 am - The creator of comic book characters like the R-rated Fritz the Cat and the bizarre Mr. Natural has finally put that religious training to good use. AP: R. Crumb creates illustrated "Book of Genesis" The Associated Press LOS ANGELES — His religious upbringing might well be as unorthodox as the psychedelic-inspired comic-strip characters that have made R. Crumb the most famous underground artist of his time. Which, come to think of it, may have made Crumb the perfect artist for his latest project, an illustrated, comic-book version of “The Book of Genesis,” the work that comprises the first 50 chapters of the Bible. Raised in a secular household that was headed by a rigidly strict, ex-Marine father who was actually a closeted atheist, Crumb was sent off to Catholic school at age 6 because his father had always admired the discipline Catholic nuns were famous for instilling in their students. “We never got a lot of religion at home,” Crumb says of himself and his siblings. “But we certainly got the whole indoctrination and brainwashing in school.” Sixty years later, the creator of comic book characters like the R-rated Fritz the Cat and the bizarre Mr. Natural has finally put that religious training to good use. “The Book of Genesis Illustrated by R. Crumb” was published last month, and on Oct. 24 the stunningly detailed, beautifully crafted black-and-white drawings that comprise its 201 pages will go on display at Los Angeles’ Hammer Museum. After the exhibition closes in February it will move on to other cities, including New York and Portland, Ore., a circumstance that has the normally circumspect Crumb shaking his head in disbelief. “The Bible! Jesus! Incredible,” Crumb says in a voice filled with awe as he reflects on the project that has consumed the last five years of his life. Indeed, the project does raise an obvious question: Why would the guy famous for drawing voluptuous women and nerdy looking, well-endowed men, who put the phrase “Keep on Truckin”’ into the national vocabulary with his posters of a big-footed oddball out for a walk, and who by his own admission owes much of his artistic inspiration to his extensive use of LSD in the 1960s, take on the Bible? “It’s kind of complicated,” Crumb guffaws during a phone interview from his home in the south of France. Spiritual guidance “I don’t think ‘Genesis’ is a good place to look for spiritual guidance or moral guidance,” he continues. “I don’t believe it’s the word of God. “At the same time,” he continues, “I think the stories are very powerful. I’m not out to ridicule them or belittle them.” Although done in the same, unmistakable style that Crumb has brought to such comic books as “Zap,” “Weirdo” and “Dirty Laundry” “Genesis” is also surprisingly respectful, as well as faithfully loyal to the Bible’s original text. “He could have done something really satiric but he didn’t,” says Ali Subotnick, who is curating the exhibit. “He’s not bastardizing the stories at all.” 
•
Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.
More from the Weekend section
Mike Pound: This doesn't sound good JPL book review: Ex-child star’s ‘Adventures’ funny, touching characters Local artist soaks up surroundings for inspiration She gathers up art: Webb City native, MSSU grad creates sculptures from woods on the farm |
Print this story
E-mail this story
Post to del.icio.us
Discuss this story
 |
 |
: Special Offer For New Subscribers
:
 |
|||||||
|
|||||||
 |
|
|
Published by Newspaper Holding, Inc. 117 East Fourth Street, Joplin, MO 64801 Using our site is your agreement to the terms and conditions. News: news@joplinglobe.com • (417)623-3480 Advertise with the Joplin Globe Copyright © 2006 The Joplin Globe, Joplin, MO All rights reserved. 
|
Popular Business directory links - Joplin Apartments | Joplin Attorneys | Joplin Auto Dealers | Joplin Auto Parts | Joplin Auto Repair | Joplin Beauty Salons | Joplin Car Rental | Joplin Dentists | Joplin Doctors | Joplin Flowers | Joplin Hotels | Joplin Insurance | Joplin Loans | Joplin Mortgages | Joplin Movers | Joplin Pizza | Joplin Realtors | Joplin Restaurants | Joplin Storage | Joplin Tax Preparation | Joplin Travel | Joplin Featured | More...
|
|
Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc. • CNHI Classified Advertising Network • CNHI News Service |
