What Is A Zines?

A Zine is usually a non-commercial, non-professional publication, kind of like a magazine but with a twist. The main difference between a magazine and a zine is that zines are not out there to make a profit but, rather, to add other, often unheard voices into the mix. Zines are usually made out of interest and passion and are often self-published by the writer/artist/creator. Typically zines are made using collage techniques and are then photocopied since these are means available to almost everyone.

Zines provide a voice to all; outside of the mainstream, of alternatives, from the underground, the margins of society. The majority of the current publications out there offer only a narrow perspective, and zines are the natural antidote to that, especially since anyone can make them. A Collection X zine makes sense because it connects something which has many zine-qualities: Collection X (openness, anyone can use it etc) with a tangible item (the zine itself) and provide a real-world link for Collection X. The AGO Youth Council also uses zines as a medium of expression to communicate on its projects. It appeals to youth because it is much more honest in its intentions.

Before zines became what they are today there was an amateur press movement in which publications were created by people who then distributed them to a larger group of people through mail. Many of the first zines were science fiction fanzines created in the 1920s and 1930s through which science fiction fans would speculate and discuss various topics. Later on, in the 1950s with the Beatnik era, poets and other artists would make small leaflets with their poems as means of self promotion. Many avant-garde movements, including the Dadaists and the Situationists, also self-published pamphlets and manifestos. The 70s saw punk zines being created as part of the punk movement and in the spirit of the DIY (do it yourself) culture that came along with it. In the 80s, a zine called Factsheet 5 began reviewing zines, thus creating a somewhat more formal zine scene. In the 90s, many zines were made as part of the Riot Grrl movement.

Today, zines are still being made, by all sorts of people on all sorts of topics, ranging for comics to radical politics to stories for children to personal zines to literary reviews to teapot collections. Many of these zines are sold in alternative stores but many are also distributed through distribution centres that stock a bunch of zines you can order. There are even a few zine libraries as well; in Toronto this includes the Toronto Zine Library located in the Tranzac at Bloor and Brunswick, and the OCAD zine library located in OCAD.

Source of Information: http://artmatters.ca/wp/2008/08/what-is-a-zine/#sthash.qOJ3Lsdv.dpuf
The OACD Zine Library: http://zinesforlunch.blogspot.co.uk/

Drawing With a Sewing Machine

Today I tried drawing with a sewing machine for the first time. At first I was scared of the thought of having a fast moving needle near my fingers but once I got used to using a sewing machine I found it to be quite a fun and relaxing experience. So because of this I would like to continue trying new techniques with the sewing the machine as its and new and interesting technique for me to use within my illustrations.

To the right is my first attempt with a sewing machine from today.

Camera Obscura

The Latin Words 'camera obscura' can be roughly translated to darkened room or chamber. A camera obscura is created when a small hole or aperture is made in a darkened space, producing an inverted image or the scene outside onto an opposite surface within.

This phenomenon has helped to prove that light travels straight lines. A lens is used to increase the brightness and sharpness of the image. Camera obscura have been use as an aid to drawing and, particularly during the Victorian era, a popular form of entertainment.

Below are images from when from when we re-created the camera obscura as a part of photography week. (not my own images)

Feedback 2

• Try working with camera obscura
• Look up cynotype

     (Both involve sun - would relate well to project)

• Look at sun dials
• Displaying drawings in windows - photograph work in situation
• Colour film exposed to sun

Gemma Anderson: Patients and Portraits

Drawing Projects: An Exploration of the Language of Drawing' by Jack Southern and Mick Maslen, Published by Black Dog, London 2011.

To read all the pages on Gemma Anderson go to: 
http://www.gemma-anderson.co.uk/Assets/publications/drawing-projects-interview.pdf

Portraits: Patients and Psychiatrists, by Gemma Anderson, Wellcome Trust Arts Award 2010

To read the whole whole book go to:
http://www.gemma-anderson.co.uk/Assets/publications/Patients-and-Portraits.pdf

Click on this link - http://www.gemma-anderson.co.uk/Assets/work/wellcome%20essay.pdf - to read an essay on her project 'Portraits: Patients and Psychiatrists' by Dr Tim Mclnerny, Forensic Psychiatrist, Bethlem Royal Hospital.

The Benefits of Vitamim D

Sunshine Vitamin:

While you’re catching some rays this summer, think about vitamin D. Sometimes called the “sunshine vitamin” because it’s produced in your skin in response to sunlight. Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin in a family of compounds that includes vitamins D1, D2, and D3. It can affect as many as 2,000 genes in the body.

Uses and Benefits:

Vitamin D has several important functions. Perhaps the most vital are regulating the absorption of calcium and phosphorous, and facilitating normal immune system function. Getting a sufficient amount of the vitamin is important for normal growth and development of bones and teeth, as well as improved resistance against certain diseases.

If your body doesn't get enough vitamin D, you're at risk of developing bone abnormalities such as osteomalacia (soft bones) or osteoporosis (fragile bones).

D Fights Disease:

In addition to its primary benefits, research suggests that vitamin D may also play a role in:

• reducing your risk of multiple sclerosis, according to a 2006 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association
• decreasing your chance of developing heart disease, according to 2008 findings published in Circulation
• helping to reduce your likelihood of developing the flu, according to 2010 research published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition

How Do You Get It?

Your body produces vitamin D naturally through direct exposure to sunlight. A little can go a long way: just 10 minutes a day of mid-day sun exposure is plenty, especially if you're fair-skinned.

Besides getting vitamin D through sunlight, you can also get it through certain foods and supplements. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) recommends that you obtain vitamin D from all three of these sources in order to ensure adequate levels of the vitamin in your blood.

Beware of "D-ficiency"

Many lifestyle and environmental factors can affect your ability your ability to get sufficient mounts of this vitamin through the sun alone. These factors include:

• pollution
• use of sunscreen
• spending more time indoors
• working longer hours in offices
• living in big cities where buildings block sunlight

These factors contribute to vitamin D deficiency in an increasing number of people. That's why it's important to get some of your vitamin D from sources besides sunlight.

Food Sources of D:

Although few foods contain vitamin D naturally, some foods are fortified with it, which means that the vitamin is added to the food. Foods that contain vitamin D include:

• salmon
• sardines
• egg yolk
• shrimp
• milk (fortified)
• cereal (fortified)
• yogurt (fortified)
• orange juice (fortified)

It can be hard to get enough vitamin D each day through sun exposure and food alone, so taking vitamin D supplements can help.

How Much Do You Need?

There has been some controversy over the amount of vitamin D needed for healthy functioning. Recent research indicates that we need more vitamin D than was once thought.

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) reports new intake recommendations (based on international units - IUs - per day):

• children and teens: 600 IU
• adults up to age 70: 600 IU
• adults over age 70: 800 IU
• pregnant or breastfeeding women: 600 IU

Meet Your Needs for D:

Some sources suggest that considerably higher daily amounts of vitamin D - as high as 2000 IU per day - are needed. The NIH emphasizes that people over age 50 generally need higher amounts of vitamin D than younger people do.

Although the exact amount may be in question, the importance of vitamin D is not. Talk to your doctor for guidance on how to ensure you get the right amount for your needs.

Source of Information: http://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/benefits-vitamin-d#Uses2

Olafur Eliasson: Playing with Space and Light

I enjoyed listening to this TED Talk because of his ideas and the way he thinks. But you also get a great sense of his passion for art through the way in which he asks questions as to why and who he is doing it who for, and how it will effect them. I believe these are the types of questions I need to be asking myself throughout this project as it will help to think about what I am doing to become more focused.