Another world: an argument for the primacy of space

© 2013 Dr. Ronnie ScottThe critical component of this thesis, “Art in Space”, explores the role played by space in structuring comics. It argues that comics is an art of space, and as such, it works towards a theory of understanding comics that accounts for the dimensions of space as much as the dimension of time. Primarily, it does so through close-reading examples of recent comics both ‘conventional’ and not, with a focus on redefining two fundamental elements: the panel and the gutter. The thesis informs these close-readings through adaptations of existing comics theory, alongside secondary readings of narrative theory, particularly that relating to space and time. It does so in the hope of expanding the possibilities for understanding comics, showing that temporal readings of the form are insufficient to explain important innovations made by comics creators working today. Following this, the creative component, “Life in Space”, explores the role played by space in structuring experience. This component is fictionalised memoir that focuses on twentysomething experiences particular to this century, mainly the web 1.0 to 2.0 shift and the mixing of high and low culture often associated with this phenomenon. It traces several years in the lives of a group of young people who are responding to these cultural shifts: learning to navigate seemingly unnavigable worlds. Together, the components argue that focusing more closely on space can open possibilities for understanding art and life