The Photography Zine

The course combines the critical analysis and creation of photography and photo zines that explore this specific medium's experimental, social and documentary potential. A zine is a DIY small-circulation, self-published print work of original or appropriated texts and images, usually produced in small, limited quantities. Discussions, projects, and readings focus on the photography zine for the preservation of minority and marginalized interests. This course familiarizeS students with analog DIY techniques for using original and appropriated photography. Students are asked to consider how their voices can be expressed through introspection, engagement with personal history, cultural subjectivities, and activism. Students are introduced to artists who make zines and why this structure is vital to their practice and community-building efforts. Emphasis is placed on actions of presence, joy, experimentation, and intention rather than perfection. All experience levels are welcome. We visit the SFMOMA and the zine collections from the San Francisco Library and view collections from the Marjorie Barrick Museum of Art in Las Vegas, NV. Additionally, we collaborate with and attend a workshop with the Italic program at Stanford.