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Zine Fair celebrates self-expression

For self-expression in the social-media age, the status update offers ease of use and not much else. The sixth annual Pittsburgh Zine Fair, on Oct. 16 at Union Project in Highland Park, aims to offer an alternative to the structured modes of self-expression that dominate in the digital age.

The term “zine,” often shortened from “fanzine,” is defined by event organizers as “a self-published, noncommercial piece of work (comic books, fiction and poetry booklets, mixed media) that fosters individual or small community expression.” Zines often take the form of booklets or pamphlets but not as a rule. The dimensions and presentation of zines are determined by their makers.

The Pittsburgh Zine Fair began in 2011 with a diverse set of participants and has only expanded.

“The zine fair has grown slowly and steadily over the past 5 years. This year we have a record of over 65 exhibitors,” says Juan Fernandez, Pittsburgh Zine Fair event liaison.

“We're really proud to know that zinesters from the area have come to expect the annual zine fair every fall and that they organize some of their print and production schedules around it.”

This year's event will include exhibitors such as New Voices Pittsburgh, Women in Sound, and multimedia artist Lizzee Solomon. In addition, the Carnegie Library will display a selection of zines from its collection. Fair festivities also include a mixer at Bunker Projects on Penn Avenue in Bloomfield, where creators will read their works.

As a physical meeting of creators, the Pittsburgh Zine Fair is the culmination of zine culture, which fosters community and self-empowerment for all.

“An icon of DIY ethos and radical info sharing, the zine decentralizes media and vaults individual expression while remaining inexpensive,” says Fernandez, who also works as an arts educator.

In the zine community, “creators become readers and readers become creators. Zines instigate intimate, affectionate connections between their creators and readers,” Fernandez says. “They're raw; they're accessible to both read and produce.”

The Pittsburgh Zine Fair is proof that there is still a desire for physical media, even as digital media becomes prevalent. Fernandez, himself an avid comics and zinemaker, puts it like this: “Designing my comics work to be printed and disseminated as zines has been one of the most fulfilling aspects of my arts-making practice. I get to meet readers face to face.”

Ian Thomas is a Tribune-Review contributing writer.