Pics, Jokes and Rock&Roll: Music and Subculture in Skater Zines

This exhibit centers on three skateboarding zines. In order of appearance they are "Thing Bad #8", "Slee*Stak Issue II" and "Self Inflicted #4". Zines are home made publications, released in small runs and by virtue of their independence give an invaluable insight into raw subculture they represent. There is no regulation of its content, no corporate oversight, a zine is simply assembled, photocopied and distributed to members of the community. 

Over the past decade or so skater culture has been absorbed into the mainstream and heavily commercialized. These zines give a rare look into the raw, dissident and underrepresented side of the culture, giving a voice to ordinary citizens to express their passions, grievances, joys and humor through art. 

This exhibit is organized into five sections. The first focuses on zines, their history and what they are. The second focuses on the history of Skateboarding and skating culture, which is absolutely necessary to understanding the zines on display. Finally, the third, fourth and fifth sections focus on the zines themselves. Each is described in detail and selections of them have been digitalized for your viewing pleasure.

Although separated by location and time (the three zines were published in Washington State, California and Texas from 1996-2016) the three works on display are unified by a common subculture. This can be seen through their similar content, aesthetics and ethos. Collage, jokes, drawings, personal stories, music and photographs of skaters in action are big parts of all three zines and show how people can be brought together across decades and thousands of miles by a common passion and culture. 

 

I hope you enjoy exploring this exhibit as much as I enjoyed assembling it. I would like to express my gratitude to Dr. Elon Lang and Elise Nacca for their patient guidance throughout the semester, and to all my classmates for answering my questions and providing help when I needed it.