What is the culture behind a zine?
Zines can be an important part of art practice in that they can showcase art in a widely distributable and accessible manner. Zine culture fosters community, sharing, collaboration and innovation. Zines are a method of diversifying practice, but they can also be a practice unto themselves.
What is a zine history?
Zine History The word “zine” comes from the original term “fan magazine” which originated in the 1960s. These original zines were a platform for those with specialized interests such as science fiction or a certain book series to share these interests with others.
When did zine culture start?
1940s
Although zines have been around since the 1830s, their big break into dominant publication started in geek culture and punk movements. The first era of zines started in the 1940s, with mimeographs and cyanide-based printing techniques.
Where did the term zine come from?
As a distinct form, zines originated in the 1930’s in the United States when fans of science fiction began to publish and trade their own stories. The term “fanzine” became recognized as the abbreviation of “fan magazine” and later on was shortened to “zine.”
What is the purpose of a zine?
Publishing Zines Print zines are known to come in limited editions and often target a more specific audience than mainstream magazines. Rather than putting a large focus on profit, the goal of zines is often expression and creation. They are curated to reflect the creative eye or opinion of the editor.
What defines a zine?
A zine is most commonly a small circulation publication of original or appropriated texts and images. More broadly, the term encompasses any self-published unique work of minority interest, usually reproduced via photocopier.
Who created the zine?
The first zine is often traced back to a 1930s effort by the Science Correspondence Club in Chicago. It was called The Comet, and it started a long-lasting trend of sci-fi related zines. The important sci-fi zine Fantasy Commentator began in 1943, and ran in various iterations (though not continuously) until 2004.
What a zine means?
Zines can be difficult to define. A zine is most commonly a small circulation publication of original or appropriated texts and images. More broadly, the term encompasses any self-published unique work of minority interest, usually reproduced via photocopier.
What does a zine contain?
Zines can touch on a variety of topics from music and art, to politics, sexuality, humor and personal memoir. Their content may be written, drawn, printed, collaged, or any other form of combining words and imagery—a zine’s structure may be narrative, journalistic, comic-like, or completely abstract.
Why did zines become popular?
While the term was first utilized in 1930s/40s sci-fi fandoms, zines were embraced by punks in the 1970s as a counterattack to elitism in mainstream music journalism and the music industry. When punk music exploded onto local scenes, it upended mainstream notions of popular music.
What are the contents of a zine?
Where did the idea of a zine come from?
Many zine-makers will say zines are as much about the community as the product, and that identifying as a zine is what separates these publications from comics, literary journals, websites, and other types of independent publications. The first zine is often traced back to a 1930s effort by the Science Correspondence Club in Chicago.
Why are zines important to the punk scene?
In the 1990s, zines flourished again thanks to the riot grrrl scene. As an alternative to the male-driven punk world of the past, riot grrrl encouraged young girls and women to start their own band, make their own zine, and get their voices heard.
What was the theme of the zines of the past?
While the zines of the past have been shaped by the predominant themes of sci-fi, punk music, and the riot grrrl movement, there have always been zines on a variety of subjects.
When did the first punk zine come out?
Compared to the earlier sci-fi zines, punk zines had a grungier, DIY aesthetic that reflected the subjects being covered. Slash and other popular zines like UK-based Sniffin’ Glue covered seminal punk bands like The Clash, The Ramones, and Joy Division. The first issue of Punk, published in 1976, featured an interview with Lou Reed.