Art

International Alternative Press Festival

Alan Hindle | Monday 21 March, 2011 10:13

The International Alternative Press Festival is back for its third year, and appears to be growing leaps and bounds. Individually and independently produced comics, ‘zines and books will overflow rickety folding card tables and cupcakes will be baked in quantities suggesting an imminent frosted invasion. Resonance 104.4 FM will feature its own orchestra at the opening party on 27 May, each musician presumably playing their own notes on previously-unimaginable instruments handmade in small, secluded woodsheds using handcrafted tools and sharp rocks. Also this year, Stripburger: a taste of the premier Slovine Comics Zine at Orbital Comics and a slumber party readathon in the New Gallery at 92 Peckham Road.

Despite certain doomsayers predicting the death of paper-based communications, folks still love actually holding art, stories, news pieces and cartoons in their hands, and the rampant growth of home publishing and friendly distribution networks allows artists and writers to build their own following. This is a chance to wander row after row of ranting geniuses and perhaps buy artworks direct from their creator.

If you have dreams of writing, drawing, and publishing your own funnies, or just of overthrowing the global corporate hegemony of fat, rich old men and their dad’s media empire, check out this nascent festival and say Hey to chief organiser, bushy-headed Jimi Gherkin. Buy comics and cupcakes. Read and eat as appropriate. Blow your harmonigongulele.

International Alternative Press Festival 2011, 27 May – June 13, alternativepress.org.co.uk

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