Celebrating the art of small press, every year the Auckland Zinefest gets bigger and better (Auckland Zinefests of yore: 2010 and 2009). The festival was scheduled to coincide with international zine month, July, and incorporated a month-long calendar of DIY and self publishing activities. Tessa puts her heart and soul into running the event, and it was wonderful to take part in it.
On July 16, St. Kevins Arcade hosted a day of markets, workshops and talks for both old hands with the long-arm stapler, and those new to the cut & paste scene. It was cool to see people come from all over the country for the event, and the joy on the faces of those who just wandered in off the street. Here are some photos from the main Zinefest event:
(Even the pup was having a great time)
The after party was held later that night at the Wine Cellar – friends, karaoke, cupcakes, pinball and hijinks. Noting my prowess for hocking goods, I was asked to design a sign for the special Zinefest only red wine punch. Fruity, friendly and utterly delicious. Do you think maybe there’s a career for me in this?
You may remember I recently attended the Auckland Zinefest. Here’s a little review I whipped up for the Sticky Institute in Melbourne:
“A rainy Saturday didn’t stop hordes of zinesters and DIY enthusiasts heading to Auckland’s 2010 Zinefest. Held in the gorgeous Neo-Greek surrounds of St. Kevin’s Arcade, the festival featured numerous stalls upstairs selling crafts, paper goods, and art; while downstairs the Wine Cellar hosted a zine library, workshops, and talks on a variety of subjects.
Presiding over the whole shebang from the volunteer-run info desk was a sneaker wearing Tyrannosaurs-Rex. Lovingly cast in glass, the Jurassic Zine Of the Fest trophy was a sweet carrot for a whole lot of zinesters to get their paper babies finished for the day. And finish they did! Zine highlights included: Health Wealth and Happiness (a great collection of local AKL found ephemera) and literary/art journal Potroast, with a resplendent full colour cover of hydrangeas. I also loved issue 11 of Cupcakemonsters and Radio As Paper.
Tes Clark’s screen-printing workshop was a winner with crowds of people learning and printing all afternoon long. Bryce Galloway of Incredibly Hot Sex With Hideous People’s talk on a Massey University zine was an insightful look at 20 or so zines made by curious fine arts students. It was interesting to hear him talk about the requirement to focus on distribution a central part of the ‘art’ process, which resulted in makers leaving zines on buses, pegging them to trees and anonymously mailing missives to high school art teachers.
In the evening the after party rocked into the wee hours downstairs at the Wine Cellar/Whammy Bar. Revellers were treated to fantastic performances from local bands like Hold Dear, Ghost Wave, Mothers Of Darkness and spoken word artists The Literatti. Resident postie Nich presented the ‘zine of the fest’ award in full friendly postman regalia, cycle shorts and all. The triumphant winners on the day were Ya-Wen Ho and Simon Fletcher for their mini illustrated zine.
Thanks must go to all attendees and the organisers for a great day out. Here’s hoping next year will be just as awesome; in the words of New Zealanders everywhere, and an apt response to zines – A++, would trade again!”
And here’s a terrible picture of my great collectible Zinefest tee! Love it.
My friend Tessa is running Auckland Zinefest again this year and thought you might be interested in getting involved:
Auckland Zinefest is a non-profit community event that celebrates and promotes DIY and self publishing in Auckland city. Previously it was held at Cross Street Studios in 2009. Before this, there was a zinefest about 4 years prior that was put on under the name “Small Print”. (Check out some photos from 2003 – friends, you all look so young!)
This year Zinefest will be held at St Kevins Arcade and Wine Cellar in Newton, Auckland. The after party will take place at Wine Cellar and Whammy Bar. Zinefest is run by volunteers who have a passion for community arts projects and zines.
AN A TO Z OF BAD CRUSHES
In the spirit of DIY and getting involved, I’m putting together a zine for this fine event. Some one very wise once said, “Write what you know”. While I am obviously an expert in the proposed topic, I do need some help. I’m looking for written pieces/lists/musings on hopeless romances, failed Facebook stalking and other examples of melancholic modern love. Bad crushes, oh yeah.
For example: C could be for Crabby Bartenders (oh, there’s been a few) or I, as in I Want Amber In An Iron Maiden under the sea (this story obviously needs publication)…
Deadline: July 1, 2010 – so lots of time!
If you’re interested: email me – amber@codeforsomething.com
One last thing: Anonymity is offered, should you require it!
Mildly exhausted. I’ve been working, hustling for more work (hello, hire me!) and doing a creative business course. So please excuse me if it feels a bit quiet around here.
Highlights of this week included the Zine Fest at Cross Street. Congratulations to Tessa & Nick, it was a great event, with a fun after party:
Epic conversations with friends over coffees, breakfasts, dinners, drinks and dance floors:
Feeling a simple delight that Spring is on its way (and knowing you can always find patches of beauty in a big city):
What’s been making you happy recently?
