Bernhard Fuchs „Burnbjoern“

Meanwhile - AWARDED ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BOOKS OF AUSTRIA

In 2015, Microsoft Canada studied the effects of smartphones on our attention span. According to the study, back in the year 2000, the average attention span of humans lasted 12 seconds. In 2016, it reduced to only eight seconds.

This study serves as the grounds for my decision to draw comic strips, which fit into this decreasing attention span range.

The first printed batch of hundred issues was published by Soybot, a micro publishing house from Vienna specialising in riso-printing.

In 2015, Microsoft Canada studied the effects of smartphones on our attention span. According to the study, back in the year 2000, the average attention span of humans lasted 12 seconds. In 2016, it reduced to only eight seconds.

This study serves as the grounds for my decision to draw comic strips, which fit into this decreasing attention span range.

The first printed batch of hundred issues was published by Soybot, a micro publishing house from Vienna specialising in riso-printing.

„Meanwhile…“ is a common comic term for jumping from one situation to the next and is therefore an ideal name for the book. The fact that „Meanwhile“ contains the word „Mean“ was not the deciding factor for me, but it was a welcome and fitting circumstance.

The cover is made of 300g cardboard with two folded tabs for reinforcement. The title is screen printed, the illustration is a glued-on risography and corresponds visually and haptically with the core.

„Meanwhile…“ is a common comic term for jumping from one situation to the next and is therefore an ideal name for the book. The fact that „Meanwhile“ contains the word „Mean“ was not the deciding factor for me, but it was a welcome and fitting circumstance.

The cover is made of 300g cardboard with two folded tabs for reinforcement. The title is screen printed, the illustration is a glued-on risography and corresponds visually and haptically with the core.

The strips produced for this diploma thesis are picture stories that deal with everyday situations and political events in their absurd, evil and bitter way.

The strips produced for this diploma thesis are picture stories that deal with everyday situations and political events in their absurd, evil and bitter way.

The stories are simply drawn, wildly thrown together and without text. The latter point allows the stories to be understood regardless of origin or language. They remind us of Youtube clips like „Meanwhile in Russia“ and „Only in China“.

The stories are simply drawn, wildly thrown together and without text. The latter point allows the stories to be understood regardless of origin or language. They remind us of Youtube clips like „Meanwhile in Russia“ and „Only in China“.

Wildly mixed compilations of amateur videos and surveillance footage showing curiosities, accidents and absurd everyday situations.

Wildly mixed compilations of amateur videos and surveillance footage showing curiosities, accidents and absurd everyday situations.

The order of the strips is subject to a symmetric and rythmic system, which I allow myself to break again and again. Some strips are serial and are distributed in the book.

Dramaturgically it begins provocatively and then becomes changeable. There is no climax because it is a compilation and not a continuous story. 

In the booklet there are about 45 strips which are spread over about 70 pages.

The order of the strips is subject to a symmetric and rythmic system, which I allow myself to break again and again. Some strips are serial and are distributed in the book.

Dramaturgically it begins provocatively and then becomes changeable. There is no climax because it is a compilation and not a continuous story. 

In the booklet there are about 45 strips which are spread over about 70 pages.