Opening »I, ANIMAL. From the Big Bad Wolf to Donald Duck — Animals in Comics«

Whether it’s unlucky Donald Duck, the lazy and gluttonous Garfield, or the Big Bad Wolf from the comic series Fables with references to Grimm’s fairy tales – animals have shaped the stories of comics in characteristic and profoundly significant ways. With this special exhibition curated by Dr. Alexander Braun, GRIMMWELT is showcasing the breadth of animal characters in comics as part of its 10th anniversary year.

From 19th-century picture sheets with fairy tale motifs and early comic strips in American newspapers to Garfield, Donald Duck, and contemporary graphic novels – all the narratives in this special exhibition share one thing in common: their main characters are animals. They are heroes or anti-heroes, antagonists or helpers, loyal companions or enchanted humans. These portrayals often serve as projections of human traits, emotions, desires, and values.

Stories featuring anthropomorphic animals ultimately raise the question of the role of animals – both in the stories themselves and in society at large. The complex web of relationships between humans and animals is reflected in countless facets of everyday and cultural life: in myths, fairy tales, and memes, in pet names and proverbs, in (status) symbols, marketing, and subcultures such as the furry fandom. This exhibition shines a spotlight on animal representations in comics.

Comics fluctuate between literature, visual art, and everyday culture. The range of their themes is as broad as the diversity of their attributed functions – from entertainment to educational reading. Comic exhibitions offer an opportunity to appreciate comics as an art form, to understand the craft through original artwork, to trace their creation through sketches, to rediscover well-known comic characters, and to explore new comics. Naturally, the exhibition experience goes beyond just reading comics – even though that remains a key element. Comics are presented here as a medium with diverse content and modes of impact, and also as a reflection of society.

The exhibition is generously supported by the documenta city of Kassel, the Hessian Cultural Foundation, and the Kassel District. The accompanying »Rätselspur« (puzzle trail) is sponsored by the Gerhard-Fieseler-Stiftung Kassel.

A comprehensive exhibition catalog will be published to accompany the exhibition. You'll find a short reading copy in our download section below and we're happy to send you a complete pdf of the catalog on request.

The full English Press Kit will be uploaded very soon. Please do not hesitate to contact us anytime, if you have any questions regarding our new special exhibition in advance. We're looking forward hearing from you.