Things & Stuff: A ToonStack of Inanimate Objects
Because people are so overrated
To be a cartoonist is to ask some of life’s most daunting questions. Questions like, “what are my pants thinking?”, “where do I draw eyes on this lamp?”, and, of course, “what does pasta talk about on the phone?”
A lot of my favorite cartoons cast inanimate objects in the starring role. There’s something delightful in seeing a cartoon about a thing you see everyday, but seeing it imbued with an attitude and something to say. Part of this is pure entertainment (I mean, who doesn’t want to live in a world of singing cheeses?) But something else is going on, and usually that’s a glimpse into the cartoonist’s state of mind, watching them process life, and finding a new vocabulary to explore what it means to be human and to be alive. Perhaps this interpretation is a bit lofty. Perhaps I just really want to live in a world of singing cheeses.
This week, I asked my fellow ToonStackers to share some of their inanimate object cartoons. If it inspires you to start talking to all the objects around you, hey- join the club.
-Johnny
Ellis Rosen
I know in my brain that inanimate objects are not alive, but my instincts insist I anthropomorphize pretty much anything. I have apologized to countless chairs and tables after walking into them. I look at my daughter's toys and wonder if they are comfortable. I have, on more than one occasion, asked a stuffed animal if they thought the room was a comfortable temperature. I feel bad unplugging an appliance because it feels like I'm forcing them to sleep. I know it’s weird. I know it’s bananas! Speaking of bananas, does anyone else feel like they scream when you peel them?
Suerynn Lee
Contrary to the fresh-faced and innocent candle's beliefs, it’s totally possible to burn out while working your dream job. Also, expensive scented candles are something I never had a taste for until recently, and if that makes me a cliché woman of a certain age, then so be it. Still, I don’t measure the quality of any other objects I allow into my life based solely on how they smell, so that’s how I justify it -- the nose knows!
Navied Mahdavian
In 1995, Pixar made a documentary called Toy Story that theorized that toys come to life when you’re not looking. Other earlier documentaries, like Chucky and Pinocchio, explored similar themes. But it was Toy Story’s special blend of 3D animation and Don Rickles that terrified America and made us ask, is that Stretch Armstrong looking at me funny?
Amy Hwang once told me that if you have a joke that’s not quite working, replace the people with cats. I say, if you have a joke that’s not quite working, replace them with a toaster.
Also, inanimate objects don’t mind when you reuse a good joke.
Johnny DiNapoli
Lately when I look at objects, I think, “Are you happy? What makes you happy?” It’s usually a pretty good way to generate some cartoon ideas. You win some, you lose some, and this watering can here’s losing one. But what I appreciate is their relative grace among defeat. Hang in there, watering can. I’m rooting for ya,
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