Interview: Arnaud Lapeyre And Steven Morger Of Lake Como Comic Art Festival

More on what must be the most beautiful and relaxed comic festival in the world – Lake Como Comic Art Festival (LCCAF) , with an interview with the two organisers, Arnaud Lapeyre and Steven Morger.

 

We’ve already featured the Lake Como Comic Art Festival here at Comicon, telling you all about what has to be the most luxurious, most relaxed, most intimate, and absolutely star-studded comics festival in the world. Just 1,000 attendees have access to 60+ world-class artists in the beautiful surroundings of the Villa Erba on the shores of Italy’s gorgeous Lake Como.

This year, the list of artists who will be there is simply incredible – greats from Europe, Britain, America, and beyond, including first time attendees Jordi Bernet, Bill Morrison, David Petersen, Glenn Fabry, David Finch, Philip Tan, John Romita Jr. and Charles Vess, along with returning guests that include Frank Cho, Juanjo Guarnido, Tula Lotay and Bill Sienkiewicz. Then there’s the likes of Sara Pichelli, Simone Bianchi, Sean Murphy, Simon Bisley, and Enrico Marini. And that’s merely less than a third of the big names you’ll see there!

Anyway, we wanted to delve a little deeper into the world of LCCAF and there’s no two people more suited to do that with than festival organisers, Arnaud Lapeyre and Steven Morger. With the festival fast approaching – it all kicks off on Friday May 17th – be sure to be getting hold of your tickets!

Richard Bruton: Arnaud and Steven, welcome to Comicon.com!

With the Lake Como Comic Art Festival 2024 fast approaching, I imagine you’re both rather busy right now – thank you for taking the time to answer a few questions! So, what can you tell us about the Lake Como comic art festival?

Steve Morger: Whatever you want to know. It’s an intimate art festival devoted only to comic art and the artists who create that art with little of the other trappings, or crowds, of a modern comic book convention. It’s one of the few festivals which celebrate comic art from around the world with guests ranging from Europe, North America, South America, Asia and Australia – and this year our first artist from South Africa (thanks to our long-time guest, Mark Raats).

Bruton: What is it and just why is it an essential comics festival to visit?

Morger: If you are into collecting comic art or sketches, it will feature the highest concentration of artists to fans around. When you consider the quality of artists who will attend, it really is a unique experience.

Bruton: What’s the big idea behind Lake Como and what makes it something unique in the big world of comic festivals?

Morger: As an art collector, the things I longed for were both the ability to see and choose from a wide selection of the best art – new and old; American and European – and to spend time talking with and watching the artists draw. Both of these are available at LCCAF.

Bruton: Both of you have been heavily involved in comics and comic events before Lake Como – can you fill us in on what those previous projects were and how your experiences there (good and bad!) Shaped LCCAF?

Morger: I was one of the promoters of the Big Wow comic fest in San Jose, California. Arno was one of the promoters of the Paris Comic Expo. Each of our shows was formed and grew over the same general time frames and we got to know each other through these events – sharing ideas and concerns in order to make each of our shows better. Sadly, both shows ended due to events beyond our control which in some ways was a good thing as the shows were both growing to the point that they required more and more effort.

As an art guy first, my dream was always to have an art and artist-focused event without the crowds and other trappings of a ‘normal’ convention. As things would have it, Lake Como offered everything I needed to make that dream come true.

 

Bruton: Why pick Lake Como for a comics festival?

Morger: It’s a place I have been coming to for upwards of thirty years. It’s one of the most beautiful locales with a backdrop of the alps. It’s a beautiful piece of art in its own right.

Yes, just from the pictures we’ve seen, it’s an absolutely beautiful location!

Morger: I had been thinking about a smaller show where people could actually spend time together instead of the rush of most conventions. When I lucked upon the Villa Erba – with both its ancient villa and the modern convention centre – it just fit for what I had been thinking. I contacted Arno with whom I had become friends through our respective prior shows and he echoed my enthusiasm. The rest, as they say, is history.

Bruton: You very deliberately focus on the comic art here – both in the name of the festival and the guests you invite – this is truly an artist and art lovers experience. Why that deliberate decision to focus just on comic artists?

Morger: Both my passion for comic art (I bought my first piece from Frank Brunner in 1976) and the desire not to have a huge convention with all the management headaches that entails was the impetus.

Bruton: How does the artist selection process happen? What criteria are you looking at when deciding who to invite year after year?

Morger: I would say that there are various decisions that help determine our guest list: from our personal likes; to gathering a diverse group of artists (geographically, stylistically, etc); to availability; to who asks to come and what they require for their appearance. For example, many artists come as part of a group, such as Essential Sequential and Comic Sketch Art Europe, who help curate their talent. And of course, there are the limitations of space, so we can’t invite everyone we’d like every year.

 

Bruton: Is it a case of trying to have a healthy mix of artists from around the world?

Morger: Absolutely. It is nice to be able to host an artist who many fans have never seen in person before.

Bruton: With a real mix of European and American artists for the festival, I’d be fascinated to know if there’s a different makeup to the attendees at LCCAF -what parts of the world do your attendees come from?

Morger: I am aware of attendees coming from Asia, Australia, South America and, of course, North America and Europe. I would estimate that Europeans are the largest segment of our attendees due to location but we do have people visiting from around the world. Initially many thought the trip would be daunting.

But with a world-class airport (Milan Malpensa) less than an hour from the festival and it being an area where many languages are spoken, those who have made the trip know it isn’t daunting at all.

 

Bruton: With 60 artists (right now, maybe more by the time we publish) and a limit of 1,000 attendees to the festival, plus the surroundings of the festival (as seen on the photos of previous festivals) I imagine it’s a quite wonderfully chilled and intimate event for attendees and artists alike – what sort of things have you had people say about the festival in the past?

Morger: I could go on for quite a while on this one – being able to spend time talking to artists both at the festival and in the surrounding restaurants is something that very few other shows can offer; the exposure to artists and art of which the attendee was previously unfamiliar; the beauty of Como; the hospitality and food of Italy; and the receptiveness of significant others to attend. I know of one attendee who has been to the show three times this year and brings his wife who isn’t into comics.

But there is so much to offer at the lake and the various towns around the lake, most significant others are looking forward to future trips to Como.

Bruton: This is the fifth LCCAF – what’s the thing that keeps you coming back to putting it on year after year?

Morger: A passion for the people and the art form.

Bruton: What’s the most memorable thing about the past four festivals?

Morger: To me, it has been the reactions of people the first time they visit the show. You can see that people come in with preconceived notions of what a convention is and then they get to see what a festival could be. So to me the most memorable moments are those of the attendees experiencing something new.

Arnaud Lapeyre: Having so many great artists gathered in this gorgeous place. The unique meetings and happenings that are possible.

Last year, Giorgio Cavazzano initiated a live drawing on a drape along with Milo Manara and Tanino Liberatore during the opening reception on Friday night. Many of the artists that were present that night decided to go along with it and participated as well. The result was a huge drape with dozens of drawings. That’s a great memory and the drape was later auctioned for charity.

 

Bruton: Any personal highlights for both of you when it comes to the festival? Maybe a very special artist you’ve hosted?

Morger: Watching Neal Adams hold court at the first edition is still one of my personal favorites. He was amazing.

One of the perks of being one of the promoters is being able to meet and greet the various artists in attendance. Some I have known previously, but many of them I had not met before, except possibly in passing. So, in many ways I would say everyone we have had the pleasure of hosting.

Lapeyre: The return after Covid had of course a great feeling. Everyone is usually so happy to be there, but that year was even more special.

But there are so many that it’s hard to say. Frank Quitely is one of the guests that will be with us this year and I have been dreaming for years of hosting him in Como.

Generally, what always strikes me is the way things are so smooth and enjoyable for everyone involved. I’m used to the big US shows and it’s hard to escape the crazy activity and everyone being so busy all day long. There is just no show on earth where you will be able to have such incredible interactions with the artists present.

Bruton: Finally, what artists haven’t you been able to attract yet who you’d absolutely love to feature one years – a wish list and perhaps a way to extend an invitation for next year!?

Morger: Oh my, from the biggest names like Bilal or Otomo to the newer talents, I’d love to meet them all!

But for me personally, the one artist I’d most like to see come to Como is Frank Brunner since he drew the first piece of comic art I purchased which in many ways started me on the path to Como. Sadly, I haven’t been able to make that happen yet.

Lapeyre: Same with Otomo. And David Mazzuchelli. We will continue to try…

Bruton: And absolutely finally, do you send an invite to George Clooney – he’s got a villa there already!?

Morger: We would love to have him check out the show but, no, no formal invites. Unless you know that he draws comic art, then maybe.

 

Thank you to both Steve and Arno for taking time out of what must be the most busy time for them of year to answer our questions.

Lake Como does look and sound like a festival highlight for the comics year – so many artists and the limited attendance numbers leading to the ultimate in relaxed, intimate festival experiences. And once you’ve finished comicking for the day, the opportunity to relax in the surroundings – truly a very different and unique comics festival experience!

So, if you’re looking for a comic festival that doubles as a relaxing holiday break, I reckon Lake Como Comic Arts Festival fits the bill absolutely perfectly.

The Lake Como Comic Art Festival runs from Friday May 17th to Sunday May 19th at the Villa Erba in Cernobbio, Lake Como, Italy. Beginning on Friday night with an opening reception followed by two full days of the festival with some of the greatest comic artists in the world.

And speaking of the artistic talent… here’s the list of who’s going to be there…

Alan Quah, Alex Maleev, Alexander Lozano, Belen Ortega, Ben Oliver, Bill Morrison, Bill Sienkiewicz, Brian Haberlin, Carla Cohen, Charles Vess, Dani, David Finch, David Messina, David Petersen, E.M. Gist, Elena Casagrande, Emanuela Lupachino, Enrico Marini, Esad Ribic, Federico Bertolucci, Frank Cho, Frank Pe, Frank Quitely, Gabriele Dell’Otto, Glenn Fabry, Javi Fernandez, Jay Anacleto, Jim Cheung, John Romita, Jr., Jordi Bernet, Juanjo Guarnido, Julian Tedesco, Lee Bermejo, Lucio Parillo, Luis Royo, Mahmud Asrar, Marco Checcheto, Mark Raats, Martin Simmonds, Mathieu Lauffray, Matteo Scalera, Niko Henrichon, Olivier Vatine, Philip Tan, Pierangelo Boog, Rafael Albuquerque, Riccardo Federici, Romulo Royo, Regis Loisel, Sara Pichelli, Sean Murphy, Simon Bisley, Simone Bianchi, Simone Di Meo, Stan Sakai, Stuart Sayger, Terry Dodson, Tony Harris, Tula Lotay, and Yoann.

And here’s a great look at the 2023 charity piece that was mentioned by Arnaud – the tablecloth that became a canvas and a closer look at some of the details…