Continuing a month of shows looking at the presence of comics in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, on this week’s new podcast and radio show Panel Borders, Alex Fitch talks to Jan van der Wateren (former chief librarian and Keeper of the National Art Library,) and Ian Rakoff (founder of the Rakoff Collection) about the collecting and acquisition of comics at the V & A.
Jan and Ian talk about the history of the Rakoff collection, how it relates to other comic book collections in the archive at the National Art Library – such as the Krazy Kat Arkive and Walt Disney comics collection – and various efforts over the years to highlight their existence.
Also, Julius Bryant, Keeper of Word and Image at the V & A, talks about the museum’s cultural remit and how that relates to comics, periodicals and popular culture.
• More info at: http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/articles/n/national-art-library-comics-and-comic-art-collection/
• Panel Borders: Collecting comics in the National Art Library airs at 11.00am, Thursday 12th September Resonance 104.4 FM (London) / streamed at www.resonancefm.com / extended podcast after broadcast at www.panelborders.wordpress.com
John Freeman
The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Star Trek Explorer (previously known as Star Trek Magazine) and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War and “Dan Dare”. He’s the writer of "Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies" for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.
Categories: Audio, Comic Art, Comic Creator Interviews, downthetubes News, Exhibitions