SICAF and SCLF 2009 - Part 3

There is a section for independent artists hidden away in the huge convention space and frankly it is one of the most inspiring. The handmade items and art pieces are refreshingly human in the midst of the sea of mass produced paraphehalia.

This particular artist, RipinAlice, caught my eye right away. Not only because her main theme was a favorite of mine but also because her work was cute and intricate at the same time. I conversed with her shortly and she was as sweet as her work.
Besides her official site, she has a blog.

Another artist that I was already familiar with was Drinky Doll. I have a thing for rabbits (another influence from Alice in Wonderland) and this artist has a very distinct and original main character rabbit.
I didn't have the chance to talk to the artist, unfortunately. His/her (don't know) work comprises mostly of carved wood sculptures and illustrations. More art on the artist's blog.
And now the geeky/dorky/goofy part. I couldn't have gone to a cartoon/animation convention and just took pictures like a reporter, could I? Geeky girls just wanna have fun!

In Asia, the "V" sign - f0r victory, not the rude British interpretation for this gesture - is obligatory when taking photos. Double V! Notice my convention-appropriate Candy Candy shirt!

Forgot who I was supposed to be. I think I got the expression right, though.

Hello, Mashimaro! He was damn terrified of me, I wonder why. (Tried to run away but I caught him!)

I had another uber-dorky photo of myself in a pink wig and mad scientist glasses but friends, after seeing it, advised me not to upload it anywhere else because they said people who don't know me would judge me and I would never ever, ever ever ever, have new friends whatsoever in the future.

I'm willing to bet most people's imagination are far worse than the actual thing so it's probably better to post it anyways but since my friends are so adamant about it... Imagine away. ;P

SICAF and SCLF 2009 - Part 2

...continued. A hodgepodge of photos. Total jambalaya.

K-pop group Big Bang have created character goods and their section was one of the most popular in the convention. I, myself, got the poster. (You know already I'm a K-pop fangirl, right?)

SICAF and SCLF 2009

I'm a geek. I have no qualms about being a geek. As long as I'm not talking the ears off of people who are completely uninterested in what I'm raving about and as long as I have a grip on reality and don't let my geekdom seep into it, I figure I'm fine.
(I don't quite understand the "deep" geeks; the sci-fi fans who greet others with their particular fandom's greetings, for example. Too much, my dears.)

The Seoul International Cartoon & Animation Festival was held last month with the Seoul Character & Licensing Fair at COEX. It's an annual event that I rarely miss.

I usually don't have enough time to check out the animation films but like to meander through the exhibits and booths. SICAF is the exhibition part of the convention, where the focus is on original art and history of Korean cartoons and animation.

The SCLF section focuses more on merchandise. There's a humunguous amount and variety of character goods available. Korean, Japanese, and other international brands have booths showing off goods that you really don't need but somehow just want and can't pass by.
It's simply an explosion of cute. Bread keychains, anyone?

And of course no cartoon/animation convention wouldn't be complete without characters (Power Rangers!) running about. I couldn't help but think how stuffy and hot they must have been in costume, even with the air-conditioning on full force.

I got tired taking photos after a while.
The final day of the convention is full of cosplayers and it's quite the spectacle to see, but I haven't cosplayed in years (yes, I did once upon a time) so I just went on a weekday to avoid being squashed in the crowd.