Mapping through Zines
Have you ever heard of a zine? If not, you’re not alone. Zines, in their simplest form, are small, self-published works filled with original or repurposed text and images, often reproduced on a photocopier. These little booklets can take various shapes, sizes, and formats and can cover any topic imaginable- from personal stories and political views to art, music, or even something as simple as someone’s daily routine. What makes a Zine so attractive is that they’re accessible to everyone, allowing individuals or small groups to share their voice, free from the limitations of traditional media.
Zines are also a useful tool for creative engagement, especially among young people who may feel disconnected from formal politics. As a recent graduate in International Relations and International Development, I have often struggled with traditional political theory due to its abstract nature and inaccessibility. This led me to a different form of political expression in my final year of undergraduate study: aesthetics. My studies, particularly inspired by the work of Roland Bleiker and his book Aesthetics in World Politics, allowed me to reconsider how creative practices (such as zine-making) can disrupt the political reality we live in and offer fresh ways to interact with the world around us.
Zines provide an ideal format for mapping individual experiences, particularly for young people. They are low-cost, self-published, and most importantly: open to all, regardless of education or background. Zine-making has the potential to allow people to reflect on their surroundings and express their views in a way that feels personal and authentic. This is why I am excited at the potential of combining zine-making workshops on our Public Map. Through these workshops, I am aiming to engage young islanders in a creative and participatory way, using the map as a platform to voice their perspectives on their local community.
Imagine a collection of zines created by young people across the island. Each one would showcase a unique snapshot of life on Anglesey- whether it’s their favourite places, their thoughts on local issues, or their hopes for the future. These zines would collectively form a patchwork of young perspectives, providing valuable insight into how they experience and interact with their environment.
This is not just about art- it’s about politics too. Zines have a long history of amplifying voices that are often overlooked in mainstream political discourse. By encouraging young people to create these zines, we are empowering them to view themselves as political actors. Their unique views and visions of Anglesey will be documented in a way that’s both creative and accessible, showing that politics isn’t just something that happens in faraway government buildings- it’s something we live and experience every day.
As someone who has always struggled with feeling frustrated with traditional politics, I turned to collage and zine-making as a way to disrupt this. For example, these pictures demonstrate a quick zine I made about my lunch breaks in the Dingle, a peaceful woodland area in Llangefni. While it might seem silly at first, this zine represents my appreciation for nature and the small joys of everyday life I experience whilst working in an office. It is a snapshot of my individual journey- an important part of how I experience and interact with my local environment.
