#11 - instant film, the incarcerated, girl love and some olives on the side

Asylum #1 / High on Burning Photographs #5
by Matt Hahn/Ocean Capewell

I was interested in this because it is a split with an incarcerated fellow named Matt. I’ve heard of Books for Prisoners programs and that of the like, but was on the fence about the idea of having anything to do with convicts. Anyway, regardless of his situation, I felt the content of this zine was amazing. Their stories are of a bigger picture, ideas of real thinkers often brushed off as crazy. I also enjoyed how they both wrote about their experiences of 1997. Matt’s stories are heart-breaking and beautiful although they are on the sad side. His stories of death, loss and gain gave me a different perspective on life and freedom that I can appreciate. Sometimes it was hard to tell whose story was whose though, I found myself guessing or cluing in by a name drop. But seriously, I’d recommend this zine as a good read.

Fight Boredom #5: Girl love
by Amber Forrester
http://hello-amber.blogspot.com

This comp zine is about conquering girlhate and jealousy, taking back sexist language, a deeper look into the “mean girl” stereotype, the importance of calling people out on rape jokes (I could really resonate with this article, as someone who has been labelled a humourless feminist for speaking out) and several thoughts by zinesters and female musicians on the supposed revival of riot grrl. I may be missing some stuff, but seriously, Amber did not disappoint me with this zine (not that she ever has). I also really like the inside page which says, “If I gave you this zine, I probably want to be your friend.” I’m always trying to make girl friend and instill girl love in this small city where a lot of girlhate happens, so it’s refreshing to be reminded there are strong, like-minded women out there who are fighting for the same thing.

Polazine #1
by Emma Jane Falconer (visit her site here)

Who doesn’t love instant film? And I say instant film instead of polaroid because Emma uses pictures from her Fuji Instax Mini, which I also have and love! I think little photo zines are neat because they give you a little glimpse into another’s life, sort of mysterious in a way. Plus, mini zines that size are always my favourite!
Fanzine Ynfytyn #8.5
by Emma Jane Falconer (visit her site here)

This is a perfect example of what a 24 hour zine should be like. I also think they should have their own category since the point is to make it in such a short period of time, where things like editing and fanciness are too time consuming for the objective, which is to create a tangible medium for your brain to spew all over. Emma writes little anecdotes about things like trying to like gin, learning to ride a bike, and includes lists like, “Best Cakes I’ve Eaten at the Sanctuary Cafe.” I giggled at the part about accidentally eating bacon, I was veg for +10 years and did that with a pita once. I like this zine, it didn’t take too long to read and I felt nice after. Plus, it’s printed on orange paper, and for some reason I really like zines printed on orange paper.

Fanzine Ynfytyn 11 - Colour Issue
by Emma Jane Falconer (visit her site here)

Colour zines, especially laser copied, make me a little hot, not gonna lie. This zine is filled with bright colours and photography of various kinds. There is writing in it as well, but I won’t elaborate too much on it except say that it compliments the photography beautifully, which seem to me is the main focal point of the zine. I especially liked the list of “Top 5 pick n’ mix sweets” not only because of my infamous sweet tooth, but I’d never heard those names before and it sounded distinctively British. Let’s face it, things in accents, even when you read them, are much more attractive sounding.

Oh for Olives! #1 (2003)
by Emma Jane Falconer (visit her site here)

This zine made me laugh once I realized what I was looking at. It’s a mini 14 page zine of collage, matched with absurd text and quotes, and lots of imagery from illustrated instructions and medical textbooks. I’ve heard people say about these kinds of zines, “what’s the point?” but I also think those people are more into text-heavy zines (I thought I’d mention that, because it annoys me). I thought this was inspirational because I love the collage and feel there isn’t enough of it in the world. Pairings of image and text can be so beautiful, can invoke such a strong and powerful emotion if you let it, and I don’t think this little zine is an exception. Phrases to describe this zine: borderline disturbing, laughably morbid, clever. A nice edition to my collection.

on criticism

A while ago, I got some complaining about a review I did because of my pickyness of typefaces and a comment I made about the content. It was from a girl who sent me her zine specifically to be reviewed. I gave her a good review before, and she had since added me to Facebook and put a link to TMC on her blog. However, after becoming very defensive of my criticisms, she left a passive aggressive comment on the link on Facebook, which she then deleted me from, and removed my link from her blog. My friend Alysha then said, “Wow, she’d never make it in art school.”

And it’s not art school, it’s in any type of profession, or any creative thing you do really. We are people who grow as we live. We learn every day, we are constantly soaking up information and honing our skills and learning new things.

Criticism is something that is inevitable when you put something out to the public, whether it be a piece of art, a zine, or any type of writing. People will like it, there will always be someone who doesn’t. There will be people who tell you it’s good when they don’t actually think it is and there are people who will tell you what you could do better. This is a part of life, and the sooner you learn to cope with criticism, the better your life (and your skills) will be.

When I first started art school, I was extremely sensitive to criticism. And once you get thrown out there into constant criticism, it becomes second nature, and it’s only then when you realize there is so much to learn, and you have to appreciate the feedback of others if you want to reach your full potential. You can’t be pissy about it and put up a wall, or you will definitely not succeed.

Yes, I have a background in graphic design & illustration, so yes typefaces, layout, and aesthetic quality are things that I am going to pick out. I can’t help it. I know that not everyone is a graphic designer or whatever, but a zine is a piece of art no matter how you think about it. When you are holding it in your hand, the cover is either going to pull you in or deter you from reading it. Everything really does matter. It’s not that it is more important than the content, but for most people, if it looks sloppily put together and has an ugly cover and you can see a million ugly typefaces and backgrounds when you quickly flip through it, they may not get as far as reading the content and put it down without thinking twice.

There was a comment made implying that I’m turning into an art snob, and maybe I shouldn’t be reviewing personal zines. It made me think a lot about my involvement in zines and where the future lies with this hobby. I’ve been making zines since I was 15, and consider it as part of my roots. It was one of my first creative outlets as an angry, angsty teenage girl. I think of it as sort of a foundation. My taste in zines has changed a lot since then, and the majority of my attention has been pulled toward other things, like my impending career in art, painting, singing and writing music. This is why I’m not posting as many reviews as I’d hoped when I started. But I’d like to still write reviews because I love getting zines and I think my criticism is valuable to people who are willing to listen and take it constructively. I don’t want to hurt anyone. It helps me grow as an artist as well, and I think sharing information is vital. We can all learn from each other. Everything is connected.

And I’m not going to say that I’m a perfect artist/writer/reviewer/whathaveyou. I’ve accepted the fact a long time ago that I’ve got many years of learning ahead of me, but I also love to learn and take what I can from others. I crave criticism and am always open to what people have to say about anything I do. Sometimes it can hurt, but that hurt is necessary and you get over it.

I guess what I’m trying to say, is that if you don’t want your work criticized, don’t fucking send it to me (or any other reviewers) and cry about it when I’m honest.