One corner of the un*named zine library in New London, CT.
NOTE: This project was conducted as part of the CIS 668 (Social Justice and Inclusion Advocacy) class during fall 2023. This analysis and event planning in collaboration with Magik Press of New London, CT focuses on working class artists and zinesters. For more information, please explore the menu. On this page, I present the limits and goals of this project.
What do I plan to do?
In collaborating with Magik Press, I hope to expand their outreach efforts within New London and Connecticut more broadly. While Magik Press is an interdisciplinary studio space, this project works to highlight the offerings of the physical studio space where the Un*named Zine Library is (this is the name of the zine library, for clarification). While this plan will be outside the scope of the semester, I plan to support efforts to create a zine fair. Magik Press is a presence at other local zine fairs, many of which tend to take place in New Haven. It is not unusual considering the looming presence of Yale University and proximity to other southern CT colleges. This is an effort to connect the DIY, artist, and punk scenes of the area, all of which are vital parts of Aly’s personal and work life as an educator, musician, and artist. Public art can serve as an unexpected free information source that can bring awareness or contextualize history, so highlighting the educational potential of art through zines is important (Tartari, 2020). Ideally, this would create another avenue for professional artists to collaborate and find ways to fund themselves without relying on grants and nonprofits. It is time-consuming and difficult for individuals to write applications for grants and the organizations that artists most commonly work with have a known history of exploitation (Smith, 2021).
Why is it important?
This work is important because artists in the area feel that the established art spaces do not reflect the diversity of the area. The process of working with these organizations does not promote artist autonomy and exposes more opportunities to exploit local artists in order to send money to those from wealthier parts of the state. For Hygienic Art in particular, artists who are boycotting the space point out that many employees are not only from outside of New London, but have been overheard saying that they do not care if resident artists care for New London or not. Boycotting artists have opened a place to anonymously voice complaints such as this or learn more information about demands (not linked for privacy). This connects to their Instagram page, @hygtakedown, where select claims are shared. This includes reference to a CT Commission of Human Rights and Opportunities report, #0740337. This is among other testimonies over the past decade mentioning antisemitism, sexual harassment settlements, and overall gentrification. The community is already protective of their space being taken and occupied by outsiders, and this work will hopefully help to deter this by creating something that is a community generated alternative.
Desired results and outcomes?
A successful project would be actually having a set venue and date for this potential zine fair by the spring. This includes giving enough time for potential vendors to state their interest and schedule accordingly. Another desired outcome is for lowering the perceived barrier to entry that sometimes comes with access to a space deemed a studio. A large priority in this work is making art as work feel accessible to low-income artists. Many feel the impact of “nepotism babies” in the art world who have the means to do more artist residencies and rely less on the administrative side of trying to maintain funding. With all of this in mind, both Aly and I are making efforts to replace our instinct for western, capitalistic pictures of success. Aly is guided by many things in their pedagogy, including the Japanese wabi-sabi or beauty in imperfection (Koren, 2008).
Potential collaborators?
Magik Press is a one-person micropress, so all collaborators are from different organizations or outside individuals. The Annex is an artist co-operative across the street from Magik Press in New London. The creation of this store was partly in response to the hostility of Hygienic and other CT art stakeholders. Aly sells art and zines here, as do her art collaborators. I expect this space to be an enthusiastic collaborator due to this relationship. I also consider Zoe Jensen and Mariana Pelaez, editors of Connecticunt, to be essential collaborators. Connecticunt, founded in 2021, is a queer and femme led zine sharing the art and writing of people around the state. They also host zine fairs in New Haven and host bar nights for local DJs. Aly and I have both worked with them, and I appreciate the strength of their community despite having no concrete physical space. As I learn about Aly’s involvement with warehouse shows, I anticipate local musicians taking an interest as collaborators, possibly making the zine fair a larger art and music opportunity.
Koren L. (2008). Wabi-sabi for artists designers poets & philosophers. Imperfect Publishing.
Smith, G. (2021). Hygienic Art trying to evict resident artist at the center of online dispute. Retrieved December 15, 2023, from https://www.theday.com/local-news/20210216/hygienic-art-trying-to-evict-resident-artist-at-the-center-of-online-dispute/
Tartari, M. (2020, June 4). Public Art as an Open-Access Structure of Knowledge Production |. Flash Art. https://flash---art.com/2020/06/public-art-as-an-open-access-structure-of-knowledge-production/