Chapbooks against the Machine >> On spot co-created zines based on human conversations, hand/type-writing & collages [travelling version]

In 2009 we found a collection of Catalan chapbooks in an old suitcase, dating back to the early 1900s. This sparked the cooperative project pliegos.net: co-publishing methodologies and FLOSS tools for creating fresh publications in community settings. From distributing zines at local fairs or running a printing booki van at literature fests, to recent print-sessions for poetry readings, experimenting with instant voice-to-paper transcription.

Our stop at re:publica follows current uses of our PliegO’Maker for making postal mail-chapbooks, just tested at an artist residency, an ethno-photography installation & a youth mental health project. A DIY-printing station for meaningful conversations, handwritten / typewritten text and cut&paste collages, transformed on spot into paper chapbooks, ready to be sent by good old mail. Our care goes to open up fresh co-writing-sharing processes that steer clear of the tentacles of AI!

This is part of a larger research on collaborative writing and open editing with ethnographic value. If you are interested in participating, contact us at esenabre@ub.edu or stop by our space and check the activity board for each day :)