Where We Started

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It first started with @sireh, then @rehanrhapsody came into the picture. Then @sireh decided that his friends must try it out that was when @rambai, @petai, @cartoonistpandan, @chendol, @orenisme and @aurah got roped in. Then it got interesting. Steemit forayed into the academic field. This is largely because it is relevant. Relevancy came in the form of:-

i) New media of delivery;
ii) Form of sustainable income; and
iii) Creation of community.

That is when we are introduced to the young blood that is now colouring the community with their new styles.

Today mark another new start. In the morning, @sireh (founder of #steem-cartoon) and @abgmie was interviewed and broadcasted to the entire nation of their work in the cartoon and comic industry. This is no small feat.

If you have noticed, sireh is wearing a T-shirt that has the symbols of upvote and resteem. He immediately took the opportunity to introduce the 'Scroll' project by his students and his attempt to expose them to the online media as their medium to promote their work and to exposure it to criticism apart from earning so dough in the process.

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The Event in the National Museum

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To the art enthusiast, we all know that to gain a spot in the National Museum is considered a deep honour. Not every artist will get their day in the museum.

(The work of 2 giants in the cartoon industry that has their foot in steemit - @abgmie and @aie)

I took the opportunity to explain some of the community work that we have been doing and achieving using the steemit platform. The audience consists of students from the Multimedia University and some members of the public. There were some queries from the public when the entire notion of blockchain and proof of brain was a bit mind boggling.

Then there was the meet and chat session with the master Jaafar Taib, the founder of the magazine 'Gila-Gila'. This man has stood the test of time by being in this industry for 43 years and has seen many magazines come and go. It is not easy to remain relevant in this industry where the printed media is finding it tough to survive.

There is the question and answer session with the Master. @sireh took the mike and asked some pertinent questions that begs to be answered. Jaafar Taib was of the opinion that to remain relevant in this industry is to build and identity for the community. One of the identity would be the unique culture of Malaysia. This is an identity which cannot be taken away and it will always be special to Malaysians and its cartoonists.

Jaafar further commented that elements of each cartoon from different countries are unique. The younger generation should find pride to promote their own work and culture and not copy a culture that is totally alien to them. His opinion was that the world is more interested to know how our life is lead rather than a Malaysian telling how American lead their life.

The entire session ended with a group photo taking session and we have our slot fitted for our next programme, a steemit workshop in the National Museum. Stay tuned for more.

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