The Thousands

Most artists tend not to create in public. That’s for the studio. Or the bedroom. Or the Wisconsin wood cabin. But at Inherent Vice it’s the process of creation itself that’s being put under the microscope as much as the artwork. For five whole weeks eight Melbourne cartoonists will converge on the NGV Studio/biosphere, where they will work under the gaze of the public to create the off-kilter comics and graphic novellas that have got them this far. (When ‘this far’ means finding yourself in a human-sized terrarium, you’re probably doing something right).

For over a month they will work 12 hours a day collaborating on group comics, creating D.I.Y. zines, and producing special site-specific artworks along with their own larger projects. Those who will be living this thing day in and out are a veritable who’s who of the Melbourne cartoonist scene (yes, there is a scene) – including M P Fikaris, Pat Grant, Michael Hawkins, Rebecca Clements, Sarah Howell, Mandy Ord, Simon Hanselman and Ben Hutchings – whose works merge the banal and the surreal with a beautiful OCD-esque zeal.

Inherent Vice is opening at NGV Studio, Federation Square this Saturday and lasts until August 14 or until their air supply runs out. And it’s free. Just remember not to tap on the glass.