A zine (an abbreviation of the word fanzine, or magazine; pronounced [ziːn], “zeen”) is most commonly a small circulation, non-commercial publication of original or appropriated texts and images. More broadly, the term encompasses any self-published work of minority interest usually reproduced via photocopier on a variety of colored paper stock.
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In recent years a number of photocopied zines have risen to prominence or professional status and have found wide bookstore and online distribution. Highly notable among these are Giant Robot, Dazed & Confused, Bust, Fever Zine and Maximum RocknRoll.
As a sidenote I would have loved to get my hand on Bust in its early incarnation as a zine. I remembered the first time I picked up a copy of the magazine and the first thing I thought was, “wow, this is completely me”.
Pictured above are the latest issue of Sharp and Pointy – issue two as sold during TINA. Thanks so much to the lovely Pirochan for printing and selling it, as well as general hassling in getting another issue out of me. To those who bought a copy, thank you! Issue three will be out by April 2009 hopefully, drop me a comment if you would like to contribute. I am playing with the idea of selling it on etsy as well.
Not sure about anyone else, but to me the process of making a zine is a one hell of a mental relief. It helps to group together fragmented bits of information and threads of conversation that can not exist in any other form. At the same time, once it’s done I tend to try and divorce myself from it straight away, which is probably not the best thing to do with the end result.
I planned on blogging about crafts and other random bits, but I am too tired to write anything coherently. If you are into knitting and maybe if you are not aware, the Knitting and Stitching Show’s final day is tomorrow. To everyone else starting Monday the 13th happy national knitting and chocolate week! The two events just happened to coincide on the same week of my birthday strangely enough. I guess the universe gets it right sometimes.
mirgraphy 