Published 21 July 2022 in Exhibition Blogs
Almost 4 months since our March exhibition, Spider-Man Turns 60!!!
Celebrating this, this week's post is a tbt (take back to... needing a reminder...) the exhibition and the opening day. So here is the introduction and opening speech that Cassandra Comins gave at the opening:
"The teenage
legend and everyman superhero that is Spider-Man, was born in 1962, brought to
life by writer Stan-Lee and illustrator Steve Ditko, into the multiverse of
Marvel Comics.
While there
are several origin stories, and variants of the superhero we all know, his
original Stan-Lee-created origin story was that of a sickly teenage orphan,
Peter Parker, bitten by a radioactive spider. He gains superhuman strength,
speed, agility and the ability to cling to walls. As a science-genius, he
invents his own web-fluid, -shooters, and the famous red-and-blue costume. However,
he starts off as a television celebrity, but after refusing to stop a burglar,
this burglar coincidently, also murders Peter’s uncle. His origin story ends
with his realisation that, “with great power there must also come – great responsibility!”
As a part
of the Marvel Comics, there are 161 universes, with variants and versions pf
the heroes, Spider-Man is no different. There are 36 Spider-Man variants;
ranging from Spider-Ham (Peter Porker) to Spider-Ma’am, -Woman, and even a
Spider-Gwen – who, in her universe, her Peter Parker dies, and she becomes the
hero. Recently, Miles Morales, the Black-Hispanic Spider-Man, has gained some
ground.
However,
the average person knows of the cinematic Spider-Man – which results in 5
universes. We know Toby Maguire’s, Andrew Garfield’s, and Tom Holland’s live
actions; with the anti-hero spinoff, and the amazing animation of Spider-Man:
Into the Spider-Verse.
And turning
60, I searched and asked around what makes Spider-Man, and Peter Parker,
so popular and a fan favourite. This is what I found out: he is relatable; the
Every-Guy hero; and timeless – I mean, even nowadays, anyone could be bitten by
a radioactive spider, it’s as possible now as it was 60 years ago!
Stan-Lee
created a teenage hero, with some powers, but also needed to make his own
equipment, giving him a sense of vulnerability. He made a hero anyone can
imagine they are or pretend to be. Peter Parker if real – never 100% okay, he’s
got problems, and he does things wrong – he is relatable. As Stan-Lee said: he
is an average guy, turned into a hero, and still has problems.
Spider-Man
shows that there is more to being man, or a hero, than physical strength. He is
humble, witty, well-rounded, and not over-powering. He is known for his witty
wisecracks during fights; and he is in-touch with ‘his people’, concerned with
being your Friendly Neighbourhood Spider-Man.
And one can
think of comics as being our mythology. Thor (taken from Norse mythology) is
our Zeus, Captain America is our Hercules, and Spider-Man is our very own Anansi
or Arachne – just more awkward.
And so, just
as there are over a hundred universes, and multiple variants of Spider-Man, what
he represents, signifies, means, or even inspires is as numerous. We have works
focusing on the villains of our boy ‘Spidey’, or that of Spider-Gwen, or some
completely removed. What he means, and what makes ‘Spider-Man’ special is the
timelessness, the multiplicity in form, origin, journey, and inspiration, and
the various creators bringing their interpretation to life – just as artists
bring to the surface their interpretation of thought.
And if we wanted to get really deep, as Peter Parker realised, it is true for those who can put into imagery what cannot be put into words, or imagery to inspire words and change…is that with great power – and the gift of art – come great responsibility!"
So there you have it! An introduction to Spider-Man. This exhibition was a fun one to put together (curated by Sammy Muller) and to discuss and experience with the various artists who participated and the quests who visited the gallery.
The video of our opening, can be found on our Instagram page @the_viewingroom_gallery
- Cassandra Comins