I made my first zine this weekend! The fact that it’s my first kind of surprises me, but then again, it’s very different from the way I usually work. I’m a planner. I like to research, to organize, to nurture my idea until it’s outgrown several pots and needs serious pruning and weeding… Basically, a long and involved process leading to many paths and variations until I can get it just right.
But a zine! Completely different. You work with what you have. At least that’s how I make my zines. Just pull out all the magazines, catalogs, and any random bits of paper. Grab a pair of scissors and a stick of glue–and GO! This presents some limitations, but I love the challenge of it, to make something cohesive from the disparate elements. I love the serendipity of it. It is an endeavor of chance.
And zines can be mass produced! Easily. All you need is a copier!
I had always wanted to do something in Japanese, so I started scanning Japanese magazines and settled on “旅” (tabi/journey) as my theme. I had a Jen Bervin moment when I started lifting phrases out of their context to create new text. Subtlety is a major element in my work, and the flamboyant clash of colors and textures was a bit novel for me. Refreshing, actually.
I think there will be more zines in my future.
the color original
black and white copy, folded into an origami book
Hello hello! Just wanted to say that I have enjoyed reading your posts, and would love to see your “tabi”! How would one go about obtaining a copy?
PS: glad to hear you had fun at Hybrid; it was an amazing event, no?