Bound: Art Book + Zine Fair will arrive to MOCA on August 26th to 27th. Although it is the second annual exhibition, the inspiration is different from last August’s Mimeo Revolution theme. After last year’s success, Cleveland native TR Ericsson modeled an idea based on the MoMa PS1 Book Fair, which originated in underground New York and Los Angeles.

MOCA Event Coordinator Deidre McPherson, said, “This event is all about celebrating artists who self-publish their work onto pages that are bound together in art books which include zines (short for magazines), photo books, or comic books.” Compared to last year, more diverse artists with origins from Saint Louis to Boston will be featured in the 50 exhibits.

Bound specifically stems from the radical and experimental Beat Generation writers, who created magazines for their work because the mainstream media condemned their ideas. This rebellious passion for work continues in the form of graphic novels, comic books, photo books, and more. McPherson adds, “What makes zines relevant today is that they are a critical platform for experimental art forms and expressions and as a contemporary art museum, we’re concerned about the art and ideas of the times we live in.” In addition to exhibitions that highlight ideas like feminism, pop culture, and humanity, live bands and DJs will also add to the inspiration of the fair.

This exhibition features many different types of work and people. While visitor may enjoy the local favorites like the horror comic Lake Erie Monster and Mac’s Backs-Books on Coventry, they also may like the demos on mimeographs from out of towners JS Makkos and Nathan Pierce. Some artists are professionally trained while others are self-taught. Even the ideas spread from one spectrum to another. Diversity is not something this fair is lacking.

BOUND: Art Book + Zine Fair is free for the public, but other exhibits require an additional free. However, as a CWRU student, MOCA is free with a student ID.

Bound: Art Book + Zine Fair

August 26th (5PM – 10PM)

August 27th (11AM – 5PM)

Full Schedule and List of Exhibits found on the MOCA website