Funny enough, I did not discover Steph Walker’s homemade ‘zine whilst browsing for journals at the bookstore. I did not stumble upon it at a print show, nor did we ever broach the subject in conversation. Rather, I found out about it in the same lazy fashion I find out about most of the things my friends are doing in their free (or not-with-me) time: Facebook. Anyhow, I’m not sweating it, as I was among at least ten others who immediately responded (with equal enthusiasm, I might add) to Walker’s online announcement: “Zine is done! Handing out/mailing this week!!! Ask if you want one (its free!).” You might recognize Walker’s designs from the print collaborative Yeller, or if you’ve ever done your homework—but even if you haven’t, now might be a good time to study up.
Tell me a little ditty about Zine: Four Corners. Why free, why now?
I've been wanting to create a free ‘zine for awhile, and mostly do it because I have few projects I get to work on just for myself. It also gets a little of my work out there and seen, though that's not the main reason I made it. Mostly I want people to pick it up and identify with the content. It's nice when I receive emails or calls from people saying that they liked my work, and that it made them want to do the same thing, go through the same process. It creates a kind of community that can be built on and shared with increasing numbers of people (hopefully). I also love ‘zines because they represent, if not a total separation, a removal from traditional graphic design in that they are self-published and can be messy looking. There's less of a "focus group" feeling to them, and they can be very personal.
As for the content, I had a few illustrations I'd made, and a few poems I'd written recently that I thought it would be fun to share. Since a lot of the stuff I make ends up being about the same kinds of subjects it was pretty easy to fit them all together. I chose the title "Four Corners" because I like the number four (seasons, directions, etc), and also because I had 4 poems that kind of related; it worked out well. In a way I'm also searching for my place in the art/design world. I could go on and on with metaphors about meaning but won't.
What about the written word, (& in your case, poetry) begs to be integrated into your art?
As for the writing process, I think a lot of the inspiration came from the people I've been around recently, and especially the people who also write/make music/do art. It makes me want to do the same. I was a comparative literature minor so I'm not a stranger to poetry, and tend to stick in that genre of writing because it can be as short as I want and still have meaning without much grammatical structure. I tend to write at night, as I've heard many people do, since during the day I get super distracted from life in general. I'm more honest with myself when I'm almost asleep.
What journals can be found at your bedside table (or wherehaveyou)?
The only thing next to my bed is my sketchbook, and lately an iPod. I get more out of the words from music than books sometimes. I usually read books about space or science, but mostly I enjoy digesting content from the day and interpreting it in a blank notebook (call it a rebellion against old reading assignments?).
What do you say to a world without physical media (i.e. bankrupt newspapers)? & how do you see smaller journals, creative publications filling in the gap for those who still desire tangible print? (Sorry if I can't keep my opinions out of these questions.)
I don't think physical media will disappear, but it will definitely have to be more meaningful. We can get information almost anywhere. What we want are experiences. That's what's great about personally generated or artistic content, especially when having the "printed item" itself is part of the objective, having a tactile piece to open and turn pages and explore in. With zines, the homemade nature of the object itself is what you want to collect, not just for pretty pictures or a marketing message but a little piece of the truth from someone.
Is it true? Is Golden Hill losing Steph Walker to Brooklyn? Say it ain't so.
Yes, Brooklyn is on the agenda!! I'm going to be super sad to leave but have to do it while I can...
You, too, can get your own (free!) copy of Zine: Four Corners at walkersteph.com.
--Jordan Anne Karnes
Posted By jordan | 4/14/2009 | 12:21 PM | View Comments (4)
I got a new red bike this weekend and rode around town with other people with red bikes. I think we should invest in some matching red jumpsuits and learn a sweet routine like Datarock does in their new video for "Give It Up"...just sayin.
Posted By carly | 4/13/2009 | 8:28 AM | Add a Comment
High-Fives today come from Dylan Jones from Subtext Gallery and Design Bookstore. Dylan is dedicated to building a culture in San Diego that truly supports artists by purchasing artwork and collaborating as a creative community. He loves seeking out good art and design and also loves sharing it, which is evidenced on the awesome Subtext blog. If you haven't had a chance to make it to Subtext yet, go see the fantastic work of Andrew Holder that's up in until April 26th.
Five most-played records
1. Electric Six, Señor Smoke
2. Kings of Leon, Because of the Times
3. James Brown, In the Jungle Groove
4. Public Enemy, It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back
5. The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan
Five trips you want to take
1. Paris, France
2. Memphis, Tennessee
3. Family Trip to the Grand Canyon (Griswald Style)
4. Belgium
5. Scottland (Islay Territory)
Five resolutions for 2009
1. Be a great dad
2. Be a great husband
3. Be a man, damnit!
4. Do my website
5. Do more sit ups
Five books
1. Into the Wild
2. Def Jam, Inc.
3. Chasing Cool
4. Shadow Divers
5. Choke
Five San Diego restaurants/bars
1. El Camino
2. Ritual Tavern
3. The Toronado
4. Aero Club
5. Whistle Stop
Five things you can't live without
1. My Radio! (shot out to L.L.)
2. Slip on Vans
3. A selection of hats
4. The number four
5. Design
Five compliments you've given recently
1. But it looks good on you. (to a friend)
2. You have a natural eye for great design (to a fellow designer)
3. Beautiful catch, Jackson! (to Vincent Jackson through my tv)
4. Nice one! (to my son when he farts)
5. You look nice today babe. (to my wife)
Five most visited websites
1. kitsunenoir.com
2. grainedit.com
3. reformrevolution.com
4. subtextgallery.com ;-)
5. wikipedia.org
Five recent purchases
1. Black Adidas Shell Toes
2. Belgian Beer from Whole Foods
3. Kings of Leon poster from Invisible Creature
4. Mona Lisa, Slick Rick 12'' vinyl from M-Theory Records
5. Christmas lights
Five words of wisdom
1. Always
2. strive
3. to
4. be
5. better
Posted By joelpwest | 4/10/2009 | 10:43 AM | Add a Comment
Meet me at the club, it's goin' down. Meet me at the supermarket, it's goin' down. Last week at Kava Lounge it went down. Knorphus (without his trusty ace-in-the-hole, The Green Baron) faced off against Triceratron. It was a battle between the future and the pre-historic, a battle for the ages.
Knorphus warmed the crowd with some classic tracks off his forthcoming 87 song album; Super! Ultra! Mega! and Cancer Sandwich mixed in with some soon to be hits like Guillotine Axe. Knorphus held his own without his trusty wingman, and set the bar high for the boys from Triceratron.
The Verbavore and Paleontologist knew the gauntlet would be thrown, and thus brought their 'A' game. The lyrical delivery was air tight, and the beats were up to par with any Beck or Yacht album. (I heard someone in the audience remark, "so that's why he hasn't left his room in months...) Hopefully this battle is just the beginning of a storied rivalry. For now enjoy these polaroids from Chadwick Gantes, photos above courtesy of Andrew Burns.
Yes, there was a real live wizard in attendance.
Posted By zack | 4/7/2009 | 12:29 AM | View Comments (4)
The UK's Motronomy is made up of some quirky dudes. Their music videos give me split feelings of radness vs. weirdness. For example: blue skin = rad, full body unitard with holes for hair = weird. But that's okay since they came out with this incredible video for "A Thing For Me". Just follow the bouncing ball.
Check out their myspace for some sweet remixes.
Posted By carly | 4/6/2009 | 7:58 AM | View Comments (1)