The Press

Zines

My first real exposure to the world of publishing, on a microscopic scale, happened by chance. From 1998 to 2000 I had the privilege of finishing up my college career at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, IL. I'd like to think that this was some kind of Divine intervention, but really, it was just plain luck. (Not only did I receive a top notch Art education, I also met my future wife!) By this time I had already completed three lack luster years at a small school, in an even smaller minded town, in Missouri. This was immediately followed by a therapeutic and moderately sobering year at a little place called Harper Community College, in Palatine, IL. Harper instilled a love of Ceramics and a work ethic that had obviously been lacking my first go around at higher education. With my new found appreciation of academia, it was time to move on.


This bring us back to NIU, where finishing up a degree in Ceramics, I was in need of a fiber arts elective. While there were plenty of dying and loom type classes available, I was much more attracted to something called An Introduction to Artist Books. Intriguing, to say the least. Under the tutelage of Christine Lafaso, many a book were made. My Final project, How to Fold a Paper Crane, became the prototype for my first mass produced Zine/Book. I try not to call it a zine proper, as it is a free standing, one off title. The original was rough, clunky, and ill proportioned, but it instilled the spark of creation, within my slightly alcohol soaked brain.


After graduation, life brought me to Chicago, where the press began it's life. It is a life that has taken it to three different Chicago apartments and one in Milwaukee, within the last four years. The main focus has not been where it is located, but that it can be located wherever there are office supplies, everyday objects, and access to copies.

Chris Chaney
chris@pinmonkeypress.net