Stacks of old magazines and artworks were placed on open tables to be grabbed alongside scraps of old cereal boxes, masking tape, and colorful thread to bind it all, which were all accessible to those who attended the afternoon zine workshop on March 19 in VA 132.
Facilitated by experimental photographer, educator, documentarian and longtime zine maker Rebecca Ustrell, the workshop consisted of her discussing a creative jumping-off point within the mediums she is working with. In an interview conducted after her workshop, she went more in-depth into what is currently inspiring her.
“I’m exploring different analog photography techniques,” she said. “So, right now, I’m really into lumen printing and cyanotype printing, which are cameraless photography techniques using the sun. So you can take the technique anywhere, just as long as there’s sunlight out, or you can do it at night with a UV lamp.”
A lot of her experiments were provided as materials for attendees to integrate into their own artworks. Ustrell then gave a live demonstration on how to bind two pages with thread to create an eight-page zine, where she notes that learning to sew a line on a page can turn into much more complex books, like her multi-layered accordion-style zine.
About 15 people were in attendance, who ranged in background in both age and majors.
Rin Perez, a Citrus student, said they were familiar with the process of making zines in their own time.
“I really like doing these, ’cause it kind of feels cathartic putting pieces of paper together, and just making a story of it,” they said. “This is my first time adding like this cellophane. I think it’s kind of sick.”
Also in attendance was Maya Ramirez, an electrical engineering major, who found that workshops like these provided an outlet to art that they wouldn’t have otherwise had the time for.
“They should do these again,” Ramirez said. “I had a lot of fun. It’s a great opportunity for me. It’s a great opportunity for non-art majors, such as myself.”
Ustrell has her artwork up for display in the art gallery on the ground floor of the VA building, with her piece named “Infinity.” The exhibition “In the Wind” shows her work, alongside a collection of other works, which will be up from now until March 23, 11:30 pm.
At the end of the workshop, Rebecca Ustrell spoke more about what zines mean to her and what it could bring for others wanting to try the art medium.
Q.) “What got you into zine making in particular?”
A.) “Zine making, for me, was something that was a really affordable, art-making practice, and you can use any material that you have, so that really appealed to me. I didn’t really have that much storage at home. Didn’t have a lot of money when I was starting out with art. Zine-making was extremely approachable for me. I also like that it can be anything that you want to make it.”
Q.) “Is there a sense of community that you find when you’re making zines and sharing them?
A.) “Lately, the community that I’ve found in zine making is people who are exploring different art techniques. One of the coolest things about zines in the community that I spend a lot of time with is that they’ll do everything from drawing to photography, to writing, collage, incorporating thread, and marbling paper. I think that’s really cool ’cause you’ll see a synthesis of graphic design and printed books, but also, incorporating DIY through collaging with their hands.”
Q.) “What encourages you to keep making zines?”
A.) “It’s kind of the thrill of always being different, so I’m someone who definitely wants to keep moving, and I’m really interested in the way people interpret color and picture and design together. So it’s really the thrill of being able to kind of see a slice of someone else’s mind in action. Everything’s totally different and unique.”
Q.) “What would you recommend to people trying to get into the art of zine making?
A.) “If you have access to your computer, go on Pinterest because you’ll literally see everyone from all over the world’s ideas on zine making. I’d say don’t be too strict on yourself and just use the materials intuitively to what suits you and what your aesthetic is. And to be experimental and you’ll be successful.”
