Independent Publishing Resource Center

Come to the IPRC tonight at 7 PM to hear Luke You of the free, anonymous zine “You” talk about Australian zines, the Sticky Institute, and other exciting things!

See you there!

My name is Natalie and I am the IPRC’s newest foster child (I’ll be interning here for the next 6 weeks)! I’m a literature and theatre student from Bennington College in Vermont (via California) and a longtime proponent of zinemaking.

Although this is only officially my second day at work here, it’s obvious to me that this organization- and likely Portland as a whole- is built off a profound respect for accessibility, in art and even personal relationships. That being said, I plan on posting here regularly to recount any madcap happenings and to give you a fresh glimpse of the IPRC world!

My first project here was to assemble the January/February catalogue. Amanda, resident intern extroardinaire, introduced me to Stan II and Stella, resident temperamental couple/copiers. All of the volunteers I met were quick to show me the ropes as well, and after much copying, folding, and stapling, the zine was completed. Phew.

I’m excited to attend the art opening tomorrow night and will hopefully meet more great people there! If you see a young woman wandering around, occasionally toddling over to Justin or A.M. for a job/joke/reassurance, feel free to introduce yourself and share something about Portland that I should know!

Later,

Natalie

Come on by and pick up a new catalog/zine featuring a cover by January’s exhibiting artist Alyson Provax.

Hey folks, check out Amelia’s project on Kickstarter at http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/789952751/do-good-work-and-dont-make-enemies .  She’s raising money to interview an 85-old artist in upstate New York, and then write his biography.  This project and Kickstarter in general are very much in line with the IPRC’s DIY ethos.

Check them out here!

Why, it’s the book Hidden Portland by local artist Carye Bye!

Accomplished letterpresser Carye was the first person to churn out an entire little book on our new perfect press binder. It has real glued edges, real beautiful color illustrations and real details on some of Portland’s hidden places. This premiere issue is all about hidden museums — weird places like Portland’s vaccuum museum and 3D Art Center that showcase particular Portlander’s peculiar obsessions.

Stop by Reading Frenzy to buy your own copy or swing by the IPRC to read the copy in our library!

Oh man, you should have seen it last week. Member Matt Ocasio has been in the workrooms ceaslessly, it seemed, for the past couple months. And finally last week he showed up right at the beginning of the night for the final step in the creation of his new literary zine <i>The Matter</i> – the meticulously letterpressed covers. Luckily, he brought a posse and with two friend stationed at the long-armed stapler and paper cutter, the team whipped out hundreds of copies in one night. By closing time, fresh short stacks of zines covered our long work table. Victory!

mmmm... the sweet taste of being done.

Check out The Matter at the Zine Symposium and in stores around town.

Times are tough for “analog,” or non-digital, media these days.  Last year, Polaroid announced it was ending production of its namesake cameras and film.  As supplies run thin, many enthusiasts are racing to find the last caches of film, and paying hefty prices for them.

Photo: Gretchin Lair

As personal computers make a easier and cheaper tool for self-publishing, enthusiasts are saying goodbye to another lesser-known, but equally-cherished product: Gocco.  The Gocco is a tiny printing machine brought to us by the Japanese Riso company and a favorite of DIY printmakers.  To find out more about the device and its demise, I spoke with two master Gocco printers at Portland’s Independent Publishing Resource Center, Gretchin Lair and Shu-Ju Wang.

“It’s a very easy to use silkscreen printing system that uses flash bulbs to expose pre-coated screens,” says Wang.  “You can go from artwork, through exposure and inking, to print, in 5 minutes or less. It’s also very portable and suitable for small workspaces.”  “I say the Gocco is magic!” adds Lair. “Its many geniuses include using non-toxic materials to print & clean up and the ability to print with multiple colors on the same screen (which avoids registrations hassles). ” (more…)