Zine Ideal Culture

Zines are one of the most personally reflective and detailed pieces of independent print material; however, they often go unnoticed and fly under the social radar. They can be as intricate or simple as their creator wishes to make them. Despite being wide ranging, they are often said to be political in nature. Seldom is the debate between scholars about whether or not a “zine scene” exists, but rather under what circumstances. What are zines like? Or, what are they about? Conventionally, Zine are an outlet for those whose voices are socially marginalized an opportunity to be heard. Zine serve a duel purpose: as a creative “do-it-yourself” form of expression and a window into a community of likeminded individuals. It allows those who engage …show more content…
BrokenPencil is an independent arts, music and zine culture magazine in Canada. It is printed four times a year acts as an outlet for inquisitive minds to see a snapshot of what zine, chapbooks and literary articles are floating around the country. It also features unique editorials that call into question the nature of mainstream print and the evolving nature of Canadian alternative culture. Take for example a piece written be Niedzvicki, “What Culture is Made of” and argues that independent print culture is challenged by The National Library of Canada’s mandate to collect two copies of published materials. Even if the print is alternative and printed by an alternative press, it is still published material. Niedzvicki makes an interesting comment, noting that “these days there are more publications in Canada then fall under the mandate of legal deposits than there are cod in the Atlantic” (Niedzvicki 8 - BROKENPENCIL). It is important to note the work of Stephen Duncombe and his focus on the politics of alternative culture. Duncombe notes that “the politics of culture never announce themselves as political” (Duncombe 175) and so this understanding is not always naturally equated with zines as political, be it in form or content. Alternative expression is understood by Duncombe to be a counterhegemonic culture that has developed out of disagreance and desire to counter mainstream society (Duncombe 175) and yet independent alternative publishers are likely breaking the law in Canada, according to Niedzvicki. An active change in the consciousness that surrounds culture should be linked to political programs and organization, and yet the lack of validation for alternative print negates this understanding. Since “Zines and other alternative publications are received by the national library the same way a book by Margaret Atwood might be” (Niedzvicki 10), some might argue that

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