Gallery: How a Brain-Damaged Man Rebuilt His Life With Action Figures
Mark Hogancamp © 2015 Mark Hogancamp / Artists Rights Society (ARS), NY01Page 38: Nazis Attack "Hoagie"
Hogancamp often stages scenarios in Marwencol that mirror events from his real life. In this scene, his avatar "Hoagie" is attacked and nearly beaten to death by five Nazi soldiers, reflecting the 2000 assault in which Hogancamp was assaulted and left for dead.
Tom Putnam02Page 50: Mark with Miniatures
Hogancamp needed a place for two of his characters to get married, so he built this chapel from scraps of cardboard, broken glass and wallpaper remnants.
Mark Hogancamp © 2015 Mark Hogancamp / Artists Rights Society (ARS), NY03Page 60: Patton and the Jeep
Hogancamp takes pains to photograph his figures low to the ground, as seen in this 2004 scene. It is one of Hogancamp's earliest Marwencol's photos, and was shot on an old 35 mm point and shoot Pentax camera.
Mark Hogancamp © 2015 Mark Hogancamp / Artists Rights Society (ARS), NY04To simulate blood in his combat scenes, Hogancamp uses either red-dyed sugar water, which attracts ants, or nail polish, which stays shiny for long periods of time, even in cold weather.
Mark Hogancamp © 2015 Mark Hogancamp / Artists Rights Society (ARS), NY05Page 84: Tiny Bags
Every briefcase, satchel, and bag featured in Marwencol is filled with miniature guns, ammo, documents, money, cigarettes, magazines, and other objects that reflect the personality of its owner. "Probably eighty percent of the bags never get opened, but they’re always full because the way Mark sees it, his characters need those things," says Welcome to Marwencol co-author Chris Shellen.
Mark Hogancamp © 2015 Mark Hogancamp / Artists Rights Society (ARS), NY06Page 85: Over the Shoulder
Hogancamp, who uses tiny fragments of broken windowpane glass as "ice cubes" for beverages in restaurant scenes, learned to frame "over the shoulder" shots, close-ups, and establishing shots by studying shows on television.
Mark Hogancamp © 2015 Mark Hogancamp / Artists Rights Society (ARS), NY07Page 86: Well Organized Craft Case
Hogancamp organizes miniscule accessories in plastic jewelry cases purchased at the local Goodwill, then uses those props to furnish miniature "sets."
Mark Hogancamp © 2015 Mark Hogancamp / Artists Rights Society (ARS), NY08Page 94: Hanging Out at the Anchorage
Hogancamp often re-creates actual local landmarks in Kingston, New York, including the Anchorage Restaurant, where he once worked before being assaulted in 2000. Other Marwencol watering hole include the fictitious Catfight Club and the reality-based Marlo Inn,, which is wired with working lights and music speakers.
Mark Hogancamp © 2015 Mark Hogancamp / Artists Rights Society (ARS), NY09Page 96: Town Hall
Hoagie shows "Anna" the newly built Town Hall. Hogancamp crafted Anna from a Dragon Models Limited figure in 2008 with money he earned by winning a 6:1 photo contest. Large enough for Hogancamp to sit inside, Town Hall includes a removable roof, made from a window, through which Hogancamp can shoot aerial views.
Mark Hogancamp © 2015 Mark Hogancamp / Artists Rights Society (ARS), NY10Page 98: The Church of Marwencol, in the Snow
Hogancamp built the church because two of his characters needed a place to get married.
Mark Hogancamp © 2015 Mark Hogancamp / Artists Rights Society (ARS), NY11Page 101: The Bank of Marwencol
"Deja Thoris" – originally Blue Box Original Cy Girl named Alaqua -- prepares to do business at the local bank.
Mark Hogancamp © 2015 Mark Hogancamp / Artists Rights Society (ARS), NY12Page 105: Soldiers Join Forces
Formerly known as Pocket Full of Posies boutique (run by an avatar version of Hogancamp's real-life friend Colleen) the second floor of this "Anchorage" building later became a brothel and now serves as Federal Cancer Research, created by Hogancamp after his friend's mother died from the disease. In this vignette, Allied soldiers hoist water to POWs being held in the center.
Mark Hogancamp © 2015 Mark Hogancamp / Artists Rights Society (ARS), NY13Page 178: Graphic Novel Miniatures
"Welcome to Marwencol" includes a graphic novel section that tracks efforts by American soldiers to rescue the Belgian town of Marwencol from Nazis.
Mark Hogancamp © 2015 Mark Hogancamp / Artists Rights Society (ARS), NY14Page 228: Time Traveler
Hogancamp veers into science fiction territory when time-traveling bank robber Dahlia and her companions come across a group of re-spawned Nazi zombies.
