“Culturally, we’re not encouraged to invest time and money into alternative media,” says [Zine Coop co-founder Beatrix] Pang, who uses the pronouns they/them. “In this city, time is money and space is money, which makes both creating and consuming ideas expensive. Zine culture, because it’s so simple and DIY, goes against this ‘curated-feeling’ Hong Kong society can have…
On September 20 and 21, when more than 500 people showed up for Zine Yo! Fest’s Zine Market, Pang and Lau couldn’t believe their eyes. Over that opening weekend, attendees browsed through dozens of handmade publications by more than 30 creatives and tried their hand at making zines in dedicated workshops. Demand was so high that a second market was added… “Just like zines give physicality to ideas,” says Lau, “this festival gives physicality to the creative community.”
Can zines change things, where you are? Talk to us about our international zinemaking atelier Art & Copy Zine Club, if you need some community and scaffolding, to get started.