I didn't
know what to do, where to begin, how to navigate... So, I called upon a
trusted convention slut who I knew would show me the ropes.
Being privileged enough to be a part of a horror theatre company,
we were able to score some VIP passes that allowed us early access. We
grabbed some lanyards & maps and set out. Now, being a virgin I
expected a little foreplay before getting heavy but I know now that that
was a silly expectation. As soon as you're in, you're in.
Boothes sprawled out before you in a vast grid with
all their goodies on display. T-shirts and posters and stickers, Oh My!
Not to mention the displays of practical & collectors weapons (i.e.
"stabby things", of which I'm a big fan...), buttons, masks, hats,
jewelry... Sensory overload like woah. However, I had my Con Vet, so we
walked the grid and took it all in bit by bit. What was fantastic for
me, was being able to actually speak with the artists behind the artwork
I admired as I meandered about. Some were local Chicago folk, others
had traveled as far as Seattle or Miami but all were showing off what
they do best and they wanted to talk about it. They wanted to share what
they do and so I picked up postcards & business cards like a drunk
Trixie picks up STD's at the John Barleycorn in Lakeview.
By the time more of the Wildclaw Clan arrived, we
were about halfway through and the public had been unfurled in the room.
Beautiful, organized Chaos. It was then that Wildclaw's fearless
leader, Aly Amidei, took the stage with Sparky Bobby Kind of Evil
Squirrel comics, Dave Dorman, Film makers John Pata & Adam Bartlett,
Brian Kirst & Rafael Nieves to talk about horror, community
building & the web we can create when we cross-over mediums. Ideas
were shared and nerd love was made in the form of idea sharing. So
hot...
I had to duck out early due to a voodoo curse put
upon me by unknown supernatural forces, but before I left I stopped by
Menton Matthews' booth and picked up a nude of Death. A haunting,
inspired print that I find myself staring at for extended periods of
time. Also, I couldn't leave without another print that I found. Sweet,
sad, stark yet utterly feminine work by Chicago's own Tanya Zolotareva.
Do yourself and favor and look into both of these artists. Gorgeous and
terrifying works that you need in your life.
So, I left C2E2 gently throttled and ready for round 2. April 26-28, 2013, are you here yet?
