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Show AggieLife Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2011 Page 5 Coming out of the closet with graphic novels BY EVAN MILLSAP staff writer The Merrill-Cazier Library has a new exhibit called "Ka-pow! Graphic Novels." Graphic novels get a pretty bad rap, even though they can be pretty interesting, said Vicki Read, exhibit cocurator and head of library circulation. "A lot of people are closet readers of graphic novels," she said. "Before this exhibit came out, I had no idea that such a large proportion of students like graphic novels. It's like everyone enjoys them but is ashamed to admit it." When most people think about graphic novels they think about super heroes, she said, but in truth graphic novels cover a wide and complex array of important social issues. "War of the Trenches" covers the history of World War I. "In the Shadow of No Towers" is a story about 9/11 and its aftermath. "Maus," a graphic novel about the Holocaust, won a Pulitzer Prize in 1992. "I suggested the library should start collecting graphic novels seven years ago, but many of my fellow librarians thought it was heresy that an academic library would carry such a childish medium," Read said. Part of the misconception came from lack of exposure to the medium, she said. Some of the librarians hadn't read a graphic novel until recently. Jennifer Duncan, head of collection development and co-curator of the exhibit, said she read her first graphic novel two years ago. "I thought they were all silly, but the first one I read had a profound social message," she said. "It was depressing and inspiring. In fact all of the graphic novels I selected for the exhibit are incredibly grim. There is just as much to learn from them as normal novels." Since the exhibit opened, more students have checked out graphic novels from the library, Read said. "I read my first graphic novel this summer," said Bailey Swesnon, a secondary education major. "I think I will definitely read more in the future." The display of the graphic novel "Blankets," by Craig Thompson, particularly intrigued her, she said, so she might read that one in the future. "It's great to see so much interest," Read said. "A lot of the graphic novels have an important historical message, and some of them are taught in classes here on campus." The grand opening for the exhibit on Nov. 10 at 4 p.m. should increase the already large interest, Read said. To celebrate the event, dozens of graphic novels will be added to the library's collection and a life-sized cardboard SpiderMan will be raffled off. At the reception students will have the opportunity to view the exhibit, which displays graphic novels from local artists as well as international artists, Duncan said. "My favorite is 'Persepolis,' which was written by an Iranian author," she said. "We think of Iran as oppressive and evil, but this autobiographical novel opens your eyes to Iran and the way it used to be." Another favorite of Duncan's is a graphic novel that covers the Bosnian war, and was written by an American journalist, she said. "Tears were pouring down my face when I read this," she said. "It takes place in a town very much like Logan, and the characters are very much like you and I. It narrates the story of an engineering student who gets caught up in the conflict to protect his own home." The exhibit, which runs until mid-December, runs in conjunction with the Nora Eccles Harrison Museum of Art exhibit entitled "Bang! Thwack! Plop! Comics: And Influence on Contemporary Art." Read said the opening reception for the art exhibit is Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m. at the museum. To make the reception more fun, she said guests are encouraged to wear Halloween costumes, and prizes will be given for the See KA-POW!, Page 6 IP "-:-411L 1._ : 4.11 .0.0 li. 4,0. 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W M Nair dam Wm imam arm am arami alnirm• mmmick mrromm mar imam Isar Imo aftima .4494 mma era Erie Mmo II Ulm *rur. at die Dram WM *am Arm.,~am re kor Oman, frickem "Oak PM imumMit a.mb • ila1.4 • Ors. bard dr gakar mai lams. Ram md Ilmomm. WNW Im =Mk ailma m=mali lama srWWI. 4mm, same mml rt .1 4E4 iwoup 41m. arr • ImlaviiMaW Man if wig Or lirm 411 ruam Ys Mao me am/.rm.. 414Impm min. .1•111•1114 . aboird IV VII lAn. AO solo awls saripiaria a. imma► arr .1~/ ORM Clambar am 111, 11111. a lama Rpm% we ado alma sr aware, pi, /Mks ft* num 0' Ike arke<mar ailmm ► 4 Sorb Caolma r Came Po awl Ilona Sam ail IN= sr am grim amok r Wan =maw dingo* aarnadam KA-POW! IS THE NEW exhibit in the Merril-Cazier Library. The exhibit runs until mid-December and features many popular graphic novels. EVAN MILLSAP photo *From Page 4 Slackliners walk the line in biological engineering, slacklining is all about pushing yourself. Hansen said he bought his first slackline at the beginning of the past summer and has already progressed to the point of dismounting via back flip. "It's kind of hard to get started, but the challenge is why it's fun," Hansen said. "It's fun when you try to do a trick or something you didn't think you could do." Hansen said he got interested in slacklining because of friends who were climbers. Wood also said her first set was a gift from brothers who are rock climbers. "It's the hobby of rock climbers," Hansen said. Hansen said slackliners don't need special skills, just a good attitude. "It doesn't matter what you do; if you can do it on a slackline, it's instantly cool," Hansen said. Wood said slacklining brings people together. This is a trend both Hansen and Hager each said they've noticed as well. Hansen said oftentimes strangers just walking by wil ask if they can try. "One of the coolest things about slacklining is that you can set it up anywhere, and traffic will stop to watch you," Hager said. Hager also likes how transportable the lines are. Senior Brad Watkins, a biochemistry major, said he has slacklined over a swimming pool, where there is no consequence for falling off. Hansen said he has also done this. Hager said there's not much risk with slacklines — Caden set up on land either. Christiansen, "Most people are really freshman, freaked out by it, but by the undeclared time you're up on it, you're a foot off the ground," Hager said. "You can handle that; you're not going to get hurt." Hager and Hansen agreed, they both enjoy teaching people who have never slacklined before and both do so often. Sunday was the first time Nikole Smith, a junior on a prenursing track, tried slacklining and said she enjoyed it. "I didn't think I could have fun on it, but it's great," Smith said. "You just have the mindset that this is a challenge, and I can't do it yet, but I'm going to do it." Tom Mangum, a sophomore majoring in social work, said when he started, his biggest worry was balancing because he gets shaky, but Christiansen said people shouldn't get discouraged. "The first 10 times you'll fall off," Christiansen said, "but you'll get better." Hager said practicing definitely helps, but even after you've done it for years, there's always room for improvement. "Once you try it, it's hard to just not do anymore," Hager said. "And it's limitless — there's no end to how good you can get. The first 10 times you'll fall off, but you'll get better." — m.noble@aggiemail.usu.edu Planning on having a baby? FREE pregnancy tests at South Cache Valley Clinic Free walk-in pregnancy tests offered each Wednesday 8 to 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. No appointment necessary t u and your baby deserve to be pampered throughout your pregnancy and delivery! 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