The Foundation for Indian Contemporary Art conducted 'Z is also for zines'- a zine-making workshop with Bombay Underground Members Himanshu S and Aqui Thami on 23 February, 2018 at the FICA Reading Room.
The workshop explored the ethos and the format of a Zine, most commonly a self-published work of original or appropriated texts and images. Circulated in limited circles and usually reproduced using a photocopier, printing press or just paper and pen, Zines frequently draw inspiration from a "do-it-yourself" philosophy, or the more commonly recognized 'DIY' ethic. The heart of the act of zine-making is rooted in physical interaction between zinester, zine, and the reader. The experience of handling zines in person, turning each page to reveal intimate secrets, funny comics, and poetry, cannot be duplicated online.
In the workshop, the participants not only discussed the concept as well as the many existing examples of zines including the whys and hows of making individual as well as collective pieces, but also made their own zines over the span of 4 hours. The zines were, at the end of the session, bound into a book-form for keepsake as an outcome of the collective work and talk.
The Bombay Underground collection of self-published ephemera like zines, handbills, and independent newspapers were also displayed at the space to provide a glimpse into their past work that looks at a part of history that includes the voices of marginalised individuals and groups. The pop-exhibition of their zines was held from February 23-25, 2018 at the FICA Reading Room. The display comprised self-published ephemera like zines, handbills, and independent newspapers can provide a glimpse into a part of history that includes the voices of marginalized individuals and groups which would otherwise be lost were they not collected.
About the Facilitators:
Aqui Thami and Himanshu S run Bombay Underground and Art Room Foundation. Bombay Underground’s work is centred on running reading spaces, libraries, indulging in self-publishing, and interventions in public and private spaces as well as participatory community projects. The Art Room Foundation utilises the medium of art to empower children and women of marginalised communities. Through workshops, exhibitions and story-telling, Art Room creates self-sustained community centres in marginalised neighbourhoods to explore life through art. Over the past twelve years they have reached more than 6,000 beneficiaries, in particular through their sustained work in Dharavi in Mumbai and partnered with more than 30 organizations and institutions.
For more about them please see their website www.artroom.strikingly.com. Also find them as ‘bombay underground’ and ‘dharavi art room’ on Facebook and Instagram.