fickle tickle

Illustrated Behavior-Mapping Series by Pallavi Chattoraj

Humor has its many forms and this project categorically dives into self-deprecating humor i.e humor where the butt of the joke becomes the self. This form of humor, as all things do, started out sparingly but the novelty wears off quickly as it increasingly becomes more of an automated response. And this is a convincing meter for analysing how our generation deals with themselves.

Imagined and curated as a deck of cards, this series focuses on the perils of self-deprecating humor. The narrative is built around eight focal behavioral acts represented by hand-drawn clown illustrations, accompanied with popular deprecating quotes. These acts are not mutually exclusive and are permeable, overlapping threads that are reflective of a society at large. The narrative allows for familiarity while attempting to create recall when any of us use it in the future.

The urgency of this project lies in a simple truth- An automated response’s prerequisite is unthinking acceptance. And any weapon (here: humor) wielded without thought is infinitely threatening.

#QuestionTheJoker

Tags

Related Pieces

editor's note

Volume 10

contact | shadow | fringe

I’ve been reflecting on the theme for our tenth volume, a lovely milestone that coincides serendipitously with the warehouse’s tenth year, and how it feels apt for the moment we find ourselves in currently. The theme straddles a threshold. The movement from this side to the far side. It isn’t inherently accompanied by an emotion. And yet, I feel it suggests a sense of hopefulness. 

This isn’t in a vacuum but is influenced by two events that concern themselves with a tremendous threshold: our atmosphere and the expanse beyond it. I am referring to the successful flyby mission around the moon by the Artemis II and the release of the film “Project Hail Mary” (adapted from Andy Weir’s novel of the same name). These two events, coinciding in this manner, serve less as random happenstance and more as a reminder, as Carl Sagan said, “The Cosmos is within us. We are made of star-stuff.” A reminder that everything out there, is also everything in here. It serves as a reminder for hope that as we resume our exploration of the darkest depths of the universe, we must take that strength to step forward from our own personal shadows.

Shadows can be freeing. There is comfort in creating, expressing, and working without scrutiny or pressure or expectation. It has potential for great freedom, movement, and discovery. However, when the driving force isn’t exploration then it can be crippling and lead to paralysis. In those moments, “coincidental” events like these can be arresting and provide a sense of hope that the next step is all that matters. One step at a time soon becomes many past an imposing threshold. As we gather momentum, pressure is bound to build. It is here, with changed circumstances, that the intention must persevere. Learning the rules, allows the impact of breaking them to feel that much sweeter, but that isn’t necessary. Acting from pure instinct allows for an innate expression to present itself. It is balancing this, instinct versus experience, that proves vital to take experience into one’s stride with child-like instinct and intention.

Our focus, at imprint and G5A, on independent stories allows this freedom. It is something we work to preserve so that the experience of ten volumes and ten years, respectively, does not weigh us down but lifts us up through the shadows and into the expanse. This is not easy but it is simple. When you default to curiosity and wonder, it isn’t a matter of ‘if’ but ‘when’.

We’re excited for Volume 10 and everything it will hold.