Aim Quote by Chris Ware
“Drawing the kind of comics that I do takes so long that to specifically address something as transitory as a political matter in it would be about as effective as composing a symphony with hopes that it would depose a despot. On top of that, I personally don't think that my version of art is the best way to deal with political issues at all, or, more specifically, the place to make a point. Not that art can't, but it's the rare art that still creates something lasting if its main aim was purely to change a particular unfair social structure.”
About This Quote
Source Graphic Novel: “Jimmy Corrigan, the Smartest Kid on Earth”, 2000
Argues that comics, due to their time‑intensive creation, are ill‑suited for rapid political messaging, and that lasting artistic impact requires more than immediate protest.
In simple terms: Comics are slow; politics is fast.
Key Takeaway
Use art for lasting change, not just quick protest.
Themes
artistic process
politics
longevity
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
artistic
political
When to use this quote
- publishing long‑form comics
- curating exhibitions
- educational curricula
Key Concepts
time investment
effectiveness
cultural impact
Questions to Reflect On
- Can a comic ever be both timely and enduring?
- What mediums best balance immediacy and depth?
A Different Perspective
Some political art can be swift and effective despite medium.
![“There's a rhythm to the words combined with the pictures [in a comic]. Whenever I'm working on a comic strip I re-read it, probably hundreds of times through to pay attention to how all of those things work. Sometimes even changing the angle of a character's eyebrow can really, seriously alter the…” quote by Chris Ware](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/dec/chris-ware-8123_angle_there-s-a-rhythm-to-the-words-combined-w_506554.jpg)
![“He [an earnest young reporter] seemed to share the view of many intelligent, well-educated, well-meaning people that, while adult literature may aim to be art, the object of children's books is to whip the little rascals into shape.” quote by Katherine Paterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/2cf/katherine-paterson-2365_adults_he-an-earnest-young-reporter-seemed-to-s_6101.jpg)
![“I really enjoyed it - being involved in watching rushes and playback [in "The Invisible Woman"]. Ralph [Fiennes] was very open to my input, I think knowing that he couldn't always be there 100 percent, that he had dual aims with directing and acting.” quote by Felicity Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/56e/felicity-jones-2070_acting_i-really-enjoyed-it-being-involved-in-wa_11933.jpg)
