Super Art Fight

Super Art Fight is a live improvised art competition based in the Washington, D.C.-Baltimore area where artists compete for audience approval by sketching random topics on a mural-sized canvas. The event was birthed at Katsucon in 2008 and has grown to include a rotating roster of artists, a podcast, and online competitions. The main Super Art Fight style involves individual artists (or pairs) facing off in front of a live audience.[1] Topics change throughout the match and the winner is determined by Clap-o-meter/Sound level meter.[1]

Super Art Fight
"The Greatest Live Art Competition in the Known Universe."
StatusActive
GenreImprov Performance Art
VenueKatsucon, ConnectiCon, Otakon, MAGfest, Balticon, Small Press Expo, AwesomeCon, ROFLcon, Intervention (convention), Black Cat (Washington, D.C. nightclub), The Ottobar, others
Location(s)Washington, D.C., Baltimore, MD
Years active12
Founded15 February 2008 (2008-02-15)
FounderJamie Noguchi, Nick DiFabbio
Websitewww.superartfight.com

As many of the participating artists are webcomic creators the art is generally in a cartoon or comic style, sometimes with manga and other style influences. pop culture references are common, as are mentions of memes, classic science fiction movies, and other geek/nerd mainstays.[2] Since debuting in 2008, Super Art Fight has now put on over 100 shows at a wide variety of venues [1]

History

Super Art Fight was initially thought up during an Iron Artist competition at Katsucon in 2008 by Jamie Noguchi and Nick diFabbio.[1][3] Noguchi and diFabbio recruited fellow artists, particularly webcomic creators and others on the convention circuit, creating the first Super Art Fight roster.[1] It has become a recurring event at Katsucon as well as other conventions such as Intervention (convention) and has traveled to a wide variety of venues; including bars, clubs, conventions, and university events [1][4]

Super Art Fight has celebrated May 4 with ThinkGeek,[5] faced off with CollegeHumor,[6] teamed up with The Protomen,[7] and attended Rutgers Geek Week.[8] Events are generally held in the Baltimore-D.C. area but as the event has matured, the range has expanded to the larger Northeast Corridor and other parts of the United States.

Event style and format

Events generally last for several rounds depending on the number of artists attending and the venue. While Super At Fight is a competition, it often bears more resemblance to a combination of improv comedy and collaborative performance art.[4][9] Three rounds are most common at convention events.

Super Art Fight at ROFLcon 2010

Super Art Fight artists often develop personas that take inspiration from a variety of popular culture influences such as luchadores and pro wrestling.[9] Personas range from simply a nickname to a full costume with props.[1] Many of the artists are creative professionals such as graphic designers and art teachers.[10] A large percentage of the artists have their own webcomics.

In a Super Art Fight match, artists are given a starting topic, often related to the convention or the night's theme, and may draw anywhere on the canvas, including overtop of each other's work.[3] After five minutes (and every five minutes thereafter) the "Wheel of Death" is spun, selecting a new topic for each artist, with the bout lasting 25 minutes total.[1] Topics are submitted by fans online and curated by the Super Art Fight staff.[10] Competitors may request a topic respin once per match[3]

Winner is chosen via a sound level meter (in a live match) or voting (online).[3] The canvas is often auctioned off for charity. At Katsucon, Super Art Fight canvases are part of the charity auction for Relay for Life for the American Cancer Society.

Super Art Fight Unleashed

Due to the fact that many Super Art Fight shows, particularly ones at anime conventions and science fiction conventions, are all-ages events, an Unleashed version of the show was created.[11] The Unleashed shows use topics from Cards Against Humanity and instead of being allowed one respin per match, competitors may respin for every topic but must combine their first and second spins in their artwork[11][12]

Cameras are not permitted at Super Art Fight Unleashed due to the NC-17 nature of the event.[12][13]

Artists and performers

Super Art Fight staff
  • Ross Nover [2][14]- Co-host
  • Marty Day [1][2]- Co-host
  • Adam Forejt - Referee
  • The Megadrives - Live Event DJs

Super Art Fight Roster
  • Michael Bracco - "Baron Von Sexyful"
  • Jamie Baldwin - "The Judge” / "Bunny"
  • Kelsey Wailes - "Stompadon" / "Dr. Professor Hemoglobin, MD, PhD, LMNOP"
    • Stompadon - Current Tag Team Champion
  • Bryan “Old Man” Prindiville
  • Dann Malihom - “Charm City Shinobi, PhD”
  • Erin Laue - "Red Erin" / "Olivia Oblivia"
    • Red Erin - Current Pixelweight Champion
  • Alex Kazanas - "Two Drink Alex"
  • Jessi Pascal - "Shoujo-A-Go-Go"
  • Colleen Parker - "Killer Colleen" / "Princess of Darkness"
  • Mike Donohue - "The Fighting Fanboy"
  • Steve Boyland - "Stevie Speed"
  • Nicole Roberts - "Wisteria"
    • Current Tag Team Champion
  • Dee Yazak - "Mistress Doomcannon"
  • Dan Ellis - "Vivienne Shamwood"
  • Margaret Huey - "DIETANIUM"
    • Current Solo Champion
  • Megan Vanessa Richards - "Rave Royale"
  • Monique Graham - "Ms. Inkwell"

Inactive Artists
  • Brandon “Bearpuncher” Chalmers - Referee emeritus
  • Jamie Noguchi[1] - "Angry Zen Master"
  • Nick DiFabbio / Nick Borkowicz[1]- "Ghostfreehood"
  • Chris “Impact” Impink
  • "Stabby" Abby Boeh
  • Henry Alexander - “The Business”
  • Darl “Apocalypse” Gnau
  • Ashley “MarkerMancer” Katz
  • El Russo Rojo
  • Greg Benge - "Dr. Destructo Dome" / "Periwinkle the Wizard"
  • Brandon J. Carr - “The Nicest Man in Art Fight”
  • Chelsea Grose - “Duchess Von Sexyful”
  • Gloria Ngo - "The Valkyrie"
  • Chris Scott - "General Stormsketch"
  • Izzy Kemp - "Slash LaRoux"

Guest artists

References
  1. Sterling, Cassidy (March 7, 2014). "Super Art Fight set for battle at its 100th show at the Ottobar". Baltimore Sun. Retrieved 22 February 2015.
  2. Arellano, Megan (June 11, 2011). "Super Art Fight Returns to D.C. With Some Punch". Washington City Paper. Retrieved 10 May 2015.
  3. "About Super Art Fight". Retrieved February 22, 2015.
  4. "Not the Same Old Bar". Washingtonian. February 19, 2014. Retrieved February 22, 2015.
  5. "JABBA THE HUT? PFT, MORE LIKE PIZZA THE HUT". ThinkGeek. May 8, 2013. Retrieved 10 May 2015.
  6. "Super Art Fight Makes New York City Debut Vs. COLLEGEHUMOR, November 1st!". Super Art Fight. October 1, 2014.
  7. "SAF X THE PROTOMEN: October 22nd!". Super Art Fight. October 11, 2009. Retrieved 10 May 2015.
  8. "Schedule of Events". Rutgers Geek Week. Rutgers University. Retrieved 10 May 2015.
  9. O'Sullivan, Michael (April 18, 2013). "Awesome Con D.C.: Washington's very own comic convention". The Washington Post. Retrieved 10 May 2015.
  10. "Super Art Fight: The Dukes Are Drawn". The Washington Post. December 18, 2008. Retrieved 10 May 2015.
  11. "SCHEDULE & PANELS MAP". AwesomeCon DC. Retrieved 10 May 2015.
  12. "Super Art Fight UNLEASHED: We Want YOUR Vote". April 15, 2015. Retrieved 10 May 2015.
  13. "Super Art Fight Roster". Retrieved February 22, 2015.
  14. Nover, Ross. "The System - About". The System. Retrieved February 22, 2015.
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