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You're looking at the last static copy (1999) of Acheron.org, more recent but partial copies exist in the wayback machine. This site is online out of nostalgia and because of it's historic content, an up to date ANSI/ASCII art archive is available from 16colo.rs

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New Year's (Low) Resolutions
by inazone
(January 1st, 1999)

By the time the next wave of artpacks arrive, it will be 1999. As often happens as the calendar changes, so too does the artscene. Winter always seems to be a chaotic time for groups, and this years doesn't seem much different. Last year, we saw Fuel and Twilight fade away, but Avenge and Legion quickly appeared. Ice ansi had hit a downswing, but is stronger than ever now. CiA was en route to leaving the scene, but now is on its way to a comeback. Legion is headed who-knows-where.

So what? There's not necessarily any sort of cycle within the scene. Rather, the old groups get older and the new groups...well, it's hard to say as the scene as a whole ages. Some of the best groups ever to exist only lasted a few months. And most of the "legendary" ansi artists really only drew for a year or two, or took long breaks and then came back. Looking around, there's not as many familiar faces as there were a year ago, but some of the relatively new artists seem like they've always been here.

Realistically, the ansi artform would be dead if it depended on the scene's longevity to survive. It's ultimately up to each of us as individuals to preserve this "novelty" medium from month to month, year to year. There are only two ways for the ansi medium and the "niche market" around it to continue. First of all, there needs to be some new artists. Start advertising on the web, or even on the few remaining PD boards left; "lame" shouldn't be used to describe people on public boards anymore, because if nothing else, they're keeping another legacy alive...and many of them at least know what ansi is (unlike many of today's web-surfing youth who are lost without a browser and a mouse). Tap into the remaining BBS community, or start making some noise about ansi on your websites.

The second way for ansi to survive is for today's artists to keep drawing. Instead of "retiring" because someone pisses you off on IRC, or because your group dies, keep drawing. Even if you aren't in a group for awhile, don't stop. And if you've been drawing with little colored blocks for year after year and don't have the imagination left to crank out new material, get in on joints with new artists! Or maybe some ansi/vga joints? These things are just different ways of staying active in the scene and preserving the annoyingly cool artform that so many of us still enjoy.

Hopefully, this gives you something to think about as the new year takes off. Everyone who is still drawing, veteran or newcomer, deserves their share of thanks for keeping ansi alive. Keep it up!

inazone/iCE

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Discussion Topic this month:
The art scene depends on the new blood (newbies) to continue its existence. Inazone has touched upon one of these factors in the fact that the public boards that are left are pretty much the only 'public' place left to display ANSI in its 'pure' and native form.

But what of ASCII? Surely, this medium is in the same boat?

And let's touch another point also. What do people think of the goading that usually happens when someone comes on IRC to request a piece of artwork? Or the immediate dismissal of any newbie as a lamer? Surely this is not the way to keep the scene alive, but rather a way to kill it off..

Let's discuss this seriously.

>> discussions (General Art Discussion)

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