Coyote-Loki mash-up

Local artist presents exhibit at Brave New World

Local artist Isaac Brynjegard-Bialik presents an exhibit of his "fine art mash-up" works like this one at Brave New World Comics in Newhall on Saturday, Sept. 11.Local artist Isaac Brynjegard-Bialik figures he's purchased about 500 comics this year from Brave New World Comics in Newhall.

On Saturday, Sept. 11, he's bringing them back-cut up into little pieces as part of his new art exhibition, "You did WHAT to my comics!?!"

Brynjegard-Bialik refers to the show as "a fine art mash-up," as it brings together the traditional art of papercutting with the pervasive lowbrow art of comics and yields a unique artistic vision.And:"We've got these caped superheroes that are almost god-like in their power and influence, and we read and revisit and revere them," he says. "I enjoy chasing down connections between the stories and characters in these comics and the stories we've been telling for thousands of years through religion and other expressions of culture."And:In "Trickster Coyote," a traditional representation of the Native American god Huehuecoyotl is bolstered by the use of cut-up comics featuring Loki, the Norse god of lies and trickery who was a foil for the comic book hero Thor.

"So many cultures have this idea of a god who is both smart and foolish, advocate and nemesis. Bringing Coyote and Loki together illustrates how these same ideas pop up in different places and times."Comment:  I can't see any hint of Loki in the image below, but I trust he's there.

For more on tricksters and Coyote, see TRICKSTER's Starred Reviews and Tricksters Around the World. For more on comic-book art featuring Natives, see Indigenous Comic Art and The Search for Aztlán. For more on the superhero-god connection, see Why Write About Heroes?

Below:  Trickster Coyote.