[Dongxiwen Client, July 1st] In recent years, China's science fiction comic industry has also developed simultaneously with the rise of science fiction novels, and Spain also has a huge science fiction comic industry. In the collision and diversity of Chinese and Western cultures, In science and technology fantasy, what kind of vitality and vitality will science fiction comics burst out?
In order to further promote the creation of science fiction comics and promote exchanges and cooperation between Spanish and Chinese artists, the launching ceremony of the "Haishan Chinese and Western Science Fiction Comics Competition" jointly organized by the Cervantes Institute of Beijing and Xiangfeng Cultural Festival was recently held at Beijing Minsheng Hosted by MoMA , many senior practitioners from the field of science fiction comics shared their personal experiences in the transnational creation of science fiction comics.
▲On June 25, 2022, the launching ceremony of the Haishan Chinese and Western Science Fiction Comics Competition will be held at the Minsheng Modern Art Museum in Beijing. Many senior practitioners in the field of science fiction comics will share their transnational creation experience. (Pictures are all taken by Wang Jun of Dongxiwen Client)
The application of Chinese cultural elements in European and American comics
In the view of Lu Junjun, chief editor of "Post-Romantic" comics of Houlang Publishing Company, science fiction is the product of the collision of science and fantasy, and science fiction comics are also It is in the collision of words and pictures that a spiral is achieved, and the exchange and collision of Chinese and Western cultures can also create infinite possibilities for comics.
Lu Junjun, for example, the comic " Blue Lotus " is one of the most popular works in the Adventures of Tintin series. It has not only received unanimous praise from Western readers, but has also been widely recognized by Chinese readers. "Similarly, the comic "Seven Sea Rangers" is also successful due to the blending and fusion of cultures. It tells the adventures and adventures of a world citizen in Shanghai, China. It not only contains Western ideas, but also contains traditional Chinese culture. "
He believes that the reason why these works are successful is that the story is set in China. This subject matter not only attracts Western readers, but also creates cultural identity for Chinese readers. This is not only a breakthrough in the field of comics. , it is also an "introduction" and "going out" of culture, and a way to break cultural barriers.
He said that the integration of cultures often brings new perspectives, "For example, in Chinese mythology, the images of 'clairvoyance' and 'shunfeng ears' have long been deeply rooted in people's hearts, and even have solidified images, but they are not as popular in the works of Western painters. In the traditional mythology, the original personified image is abandoned, and it is only expressed as a pair of eyes or a pair of ears. In the cultural collision, it will always bring people a new perspective and a new interpretation of the work."
Exploration and integration in cooperation
Cartoonist Yang Weilin said that although many novel ideas can be created in cross-border cultural exchanges, many differences will also arise. “In comic creation, it is necessary to resolve these differences arising from cultural differences. Differences are also crucial."
He introduced that the comic "The Devourer" is an adaptation of Liu Cixin's novel and a joint project between China and France. "In "The Devourer" there is a scene where aliens take away the earth's seeds. My original design was to show various seeds retained in high-tech devices, but the French collaborator felt that this lacked a vivid sense of life. So I later designed it into a plant full of vines to replace the original cold seeds. In addition, there is also the shape of the alien spacecraft. I originally wanted to focus more on highlighting the sense of technology, but after research, I found that Adding some animal features to the spaceship will better reflect the setting of the alien devourer."
After his continuous exchanges with the French screenwriter, this comic creation also added some chase scenes from Hollywood blockbusters. Some fighting scenes with Chinese kung fu characteristics have also been added. The fusion of these elements makes the comics more attractive and creative.
Yang Weilin believes that only by resolving differences in teamwork can more inspiration be inspired. Team running-in is also a kind of cultural running-in, and this running-in will indeed incorporate more new elements into comics.
▲On June 25, 2022, cartoonist Yang Weilin shared his transnational creation experience online.
Cross-cultural comic project operation
Comic Legend CEO Li Yun said that compared with the comic industry, the film industry can often make the visual presentation of science fiction novels more outstanding, but the cost of film investment is too high, so the comic industry has to bear it The important task of visualizing science fiction novels.
"Literary works have limitations in terms of communication media, language and culture, and the age of the readers, which also leads to certain difficulties in their international promotion. Because of this, science fiction comics are based on the international positioning and have established An international team is very necessary,” he said.
In Li Yun’s view, literary works use the power of words to create storylines and typical environments, and thereby express the author’s thoughts and values, while comics emphasize the power of painting art to complete the above creative practices. "So, they not only need to create a team, but also build a communication bridge between the author of the original work and the author of the adaptation, and understand and express the work from a cross-cultural perspective on the basis of full respect for international authors."
"Our team is mainly composed of experienced and older employees. In addition, there are also graduate students majoring in comics with strong language skills. This has enabled us to make breakthroughs in artistic creation and breaking language barriers." Li Yun added.
Li Yun hopes to make the symbols of Chinese culture vivid on the page through comics, so that more foreign readers can interpret Chinese traditional culture more easily and accurately. "Science fiction is the sharing of literature, as well as the sharing of values and ideas; comics are the sharing of literature and art, as well as cross-cultural exchanges and mutual learning of literature and aesthetics; I hope to use comics as an opportunity to let friends around the world Come together and share the valuable, charming and interesting connotations of culture." (End)
Author/Zhao Xu
Editor in charge: Yang Bushuang
