Contributions to the 7th AICCM Book, Paper and Photographic Materials Symposium 29g31 August 2012 Brisbane, Australia
Abstract
Zines, homemade pamphlets from kitchen benches, home offices or artists’ studios – anyone who has anything to say can self-publish. Zines have been around since the 1920s, and are an artistic form of expression that is gaining momentum. Zines are ephemeral things, usually a small edition and bound with whatever happens to be at hand. And, more often than not, rubber bands and staples are the preferred binding media. If you are a collector or an institution, then rubber bands and staples are not a preferred media; they deteriorate and lead to deterioration of the textblock as they transfer harmful substances onto paper. This presentation will give a brief overview of the history of zines and show various sewing strategies for zinesters that are quick, reliable and fun, while keeping with the idea of the zine being ‘in the now’.