Description:

The Comic Forge fosters connections between Newmarket’s geographical, historical, and social context, the urban environment, and its speculative graphic narrative. It reflects on the transition between eras and explores the liminal space between past and present.

The Comic Forge incorporates the use of various materials and forms from the pre-urban and urban context to simulate this sense of transition and passage. Much like a comic book, it reflects on the idea of being in-between states or spaces, or in this case, eras, specifically the speculative steampunk era. Steampunk is a subgenre of science fiction that incorporates anachronistic, retro-futuristic technology and aesthetics from an alternative 19th-century fantasy Victorian era, drawing inspiration from industrial steam-powered machinery and mechanisms. In conjunction with this, copper, brick masonry, hints of leather, black iron, and kauri timber (which dominated Auckland’s exports back in the 1900s) furnish the space. The open plan circular layout is inspired by cogs in a clock, with each area “winding back time” to experience hints of the past, a form of sequential storytelling.

The customer journey begins by placing old books, comics, or newspapers in the letterbox depository next to the entrance. This administers them a ticket into the retail interior through large, revolving doors inspired by historic tram and train doors. To the right of the building hosts a papermaking workshop inspired by traditional steampower and industrial paper-making methods. The items they have donated are taken by the conveyor belt, which directs them towards the paper shredder to shred into tiny pieces. Workers then transfer this paper to the washing and boiling cylinder to clean out chemicals, ink, dirt, and other non-fiber contaminants like staples. Copper pipes direct it towards the chemical and gas chamber to further clean out paper using chemicals and bleach. It is then moved to the age-old Hollander Beater to refine and fibrillate paper fibres, which enhances their bonding ability when forming sheets. Workers then begin the traditional method of hand-making paper by sieving pulp into forms using a mesh wire sieve. These sheets are stacked on top of each other and, using a screw press, excess water is squeezed out. Finally, workers hang the paper sheets onto the dynamic pulley wheel system left for the sun and air to dry.

Once dry, artists with a membership use this paper to create their own illustrations in the studio area, where traditional printing press machines, equipment, and a communal workspace are available for use for free. Central to the design is the ink kiosk station that represents the sacred cabbage tree that once was. A place of gathering, much like its namesake, to bridge the connection between users and the site’s historical context. Height-adjustable Bronx Crank Tables with an aged red finish line each side, suitable for ages 10 and over. On the far wall, seating is provided for individual reading of comics, manga, or studying. Lastly and most importantly, the entire facade hosts interlocking copper pipes that double as shelving for comics, manga, and artwork.