The Book AsMain MenuA Repository of InformationA PerformanceA JourneyJessie CarterA Conceptual Playground for Choice(sagesolar, 2014, “The king of hearts”)A Medium for Universal LanguageA Phenomenal ReadingA Relationship Between Recto and VersoA Vision of the FutureA Repository of LanguageKate Aberman74d96e55dd29b74bef0e0a20c2d79e879fab26ccEmmie Banksd3c00922e17d33400599c8143d1d353f7d36ea7aJessie Cartera6f04f02805133baaf416ab9fcd9a4a2b857b080Deanna Fayed2f0ded76fb9215a15ea7a11b638a892a604843bfGabby Huberta3f266b029aa2bada1c10fd4a31317d37a1bec9dKatherine King6125a92332113f4973e618b8e428aac70a6ed790Carol Leea596a4440954bb8282b044cb431f3d2b8a9a8e75Sarah Richmanbeb66f0b62cd0c55d75ac46cfcf447f52ffe6aa8Matthew Winz5800f51dc1a62f1d2397973f41e4b16a521351b3whitney trettienf2bbb7126b60dc1bee07050dccbd9d30f12d7b2b
Zines are different from artist’s books largely because of the significance of reproduction and distribution in zine culture. The case can be made, as a result of need for ease in reproduction, that zines do not place as much stress on the relation of obvious form to function. Despite this argument, zines can still exhibit subtle relations of these two concepts.
A wonderful example is Doctor Mister Miracle’s Guide to Miracle-Making: A Manual (Abridged) by Josh Hockensmith. This zine demonstrates a subtle aspect of the relationship of recto/verso. It calls upon the influence of language in order to reverse the perception of the pages. The work is originally translated from Chinese, and the form reflects this influence as the text (while now presented in English) is read by paging through from right to left.
This changes the reader’s interaction with the pages as it reverses the concept of recto/verso. In the instance of languages read right to life, the right side of the page spread becomes the reverse (verso) of the left (now the recto).
This zine illustrates the versatility and adaptability of recto/verso.
