There are many reasons to create an independent magazine. Making a fortune is not one of them. More often than not, cultural capital is the only reward. It is, then, not surprising to say that the creators of these labours of love are also dreamers. Dreamers with a vision.
We all know that the publishing industry, as a whole, has seen better days. And we’re all too familiar with the endless rhetoric about how we live in an age of information overload. That the internet is awash with blogs and opinions and how we don’t need more of these anymore. But, is that really the case? Or are we just bombarded by the white noise of information in this overly commercialised, gentrified media landscape?
As the story goes, Kate Bezar (our founder!) created this magazine because she couldn’t find anything to read amongst the racks of glossies. She’s not alone in this, because in this depressing age of recession and job cuts, there are still independent publications quietly making their mark in different parts of the world. Their presence serve as a counterpoint to the glossies of the world, which have, in turn, become parodies of lifestyle bibles (“what the people want”). A simulacrum, if you will.
Independent magazines provide outlets for these dreamers to carry on their narrative strain (whatever it may be). It may be about food, an underground culture or even something as specific as biking. Or it may be a politically-driven statement to be made in the democratisation of mass media. Whatever it may be, the end product (usually a combination of thoughtful words and ingenious graphic design) provides a form of considered pleasure that bear repetition. They are the ones that enhance your commuting experience, or your daily bedtime read.
And now we’d like to know how you feel about this topic. What does a magazine (printed or otherwise) mean to you? What are some of the independent magazines you read? (Besides Dumbo Feather, of course!) Let us know on the comment box below.
Speaking of magazines (woo, smooth), tickets to the next Dumbo Feather Conversation with Kate Bezar are selling out fast! Get yours here via Eventbrite.
Comments
Tara 09 Aug 9:03PM
A magazine is mine. I get to take it with me or leave it at home. The special magazines get a special filed place on a shelf or in a shoe box. The un-special ones get loaned out or handed down to my twelve year old daughter to read or cut up and use in her journals and bulletin boards. I live fairly rural and far away from my homeland (USA) so magazines make me feel in the loop of out of reach places. I subscribe to Mary Janes Farm, National Geographic, Frankie, & Muse. I don't know which ones are considered independent. I love to read and magazines (instead of books) are what you read when you want pictures, short articles, facts, reviews, and silly tid bits.