cruft for the world.

July 1, 2005

File under 'Superflat.'


I claim this aesthetic movement as a category for this bloglabel. Superflat is a Japanese art form which captures the essence of exactly what is so fascinating about manga and anime. It has to be seen to be understood.

But what's so flat about it? The guy who came up with the term sees a certain undeniable 'two-dimensional' aesthetic in traditional Japanese paintings, Utamaro prints, etc. This he sees reflected in manga pages - you know, like in that episode of FLCL.

And this narrowcasting blog is flat, too, as it arrives in your home. It can't be bent or manhandled like an old copy of "Les Chants de Maldoror." It will never have the corporeality of a large, ethically monolithic building full of gold records. Turn sideways and you won't even see it.

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