Colophon

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tattomag

I’ve been travelling and working in various parts, hence the radio silence, and there’s more to be done before it’s over. Fear not, however: I’m planning a whole bundle of mag-themed updates for later on in the summer, which I rather suspect you’re going to enjoy.

Meantime, if you’re hungry for your Magtastic fix, in today’s Wall Street Journal Europe, I have two pieces about magazines: Reinventing the Magazine and an interview with the tattooed magazine himself, Marc Strömberg. You can also go to YouTube and see me as presenter on ColophonTV.

And finally, for London-based readers, my new book has just been adapted into a play by Vivid Dreams Productions, combining images and text in a particularly interesting way. It opened early this week, and is on in North London for another two weeks. Tickets are a recession-friendly ten pounds. There’s more information here; I’ll be there on Friday 22nd and Saturday 23rd, so do come by and say hello.

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The doyenne of Dutch magazine shops Athenaeum, located on the Spui in Amsterdam, currently has a rather lovely window display featuring pages from We Make Magazines. Dank u wel!

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Rather a lot to catch up on…

Wired UK launches today
The general view seems to be “better than expected, but good luck in this climate”. My friend and erstwhile colleague Hammersley puts it in his own inimitable style: “You might not like it, and that’s fine with us, but you will have to admit that it’s good. In any case, we’re not producing a mediocre magazine for the general reader. We’re making something great specifically for the Wired audience. As David Simon once said, ‘fuck the average viewer.’” (Disclaimer: I have a small piece in issue two). Speaking of tech…

Magazine to feature RFID chip
In fact, a Ztamp, to place on your Mir:ror. It’s from the makers of the rather cute “it’ll read your email while you’re sleeping” Nabaztag. I’d expect Spektacle to watch this intently, as it’s the kind of thing they’d do. What’s also interesting is the mag itself – I have the current issue of Amusement next to me now, that I’ve been meaning to review on here for yonks. It’s rather good. Speaking of video game magazines…

Edge celebrates 200th issue with 200 covers
All polywrapped in a bag with an image of issue one on it. See all the covers full size here

Little White Lies tries digital
Now non-UK viewers can enjoy its graphic monothemed loveliness

Conde Nast switches to digital flowers
Because physical objects are no longer symbolically important at CN Towers. Wait a minute, what’s the date on that piece again? While we’re on the subject…

As good an excuse as any to visit Sans Seriffe
There’s no Fool like an old Fool

The Folio 40 is unveiled
Worthwhile reading featuring movers, shakers, innovators and a blogger. Maybe next year

How Esquire tore strips off its cover stars
Compare with this month’s Flaunt (click here) who had a far lower-tech solution. That’s a real rip they’ve put in – each issue’s is slightly different, a rather brilliant way to both save money and still keep up their reputation for distinctive covers. I wonder if they perforated it slightly at the factory, or just had a line of rippers? And what did they do with all the bottom halves?

A new men’s “style bible” just launched
The preview pics look to me rather like the revived Man About Town with all the words cut out

Colophon interview with KasinoA4
“I bet our magazine would look a lot different if we were based in Miami”. Also reveals previously unnoticed nod to 1970s Playboy. Speaking of whom…

KasinoA4 releases wearable magazine rack
Is it just me, or is this “KasinoA4 X Designer” actually a subtle Monocle pisstake?

Last week’s Economist cover – explained
It made much more sense in the original. They’ve also started to release their magazine audibly – will Economist Radio follow?

Editor blames plagiarism on staff shortages
And thinking shortages

Why our books are the future of fashion photography
Which is nice. Goes on a bit though

And finally… some more Colophon links…

We love you too, Slanted
Patrick’s snaps
The official photographer
Stylink reports (kind of)
Stereo loves Karen

Paper weight

Luggage on arrival in Luxembourg: 11 kilos. Luggage on departure from Luxembourg: 39 kilos, plus a back-breaking carry on. I think that qualifies as a successful event.

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I surrender

OK, I confess: I’m not even going to try and blog the Colophon weekend, on top of helping make a magazine in three days, doing some on-stage shenanigans, taking part in a Pecha Kucha, moving between venues, partying, buying/blagging new magazines and almost certainly not sleeping.

Instead, I’ve taken charge of the Colophon Twitter feed, so I’ll be microblogging there. If you’re looking for more, Jeremy is your man.

And now I’m going back to the madness… If you’re coming to Colophon, don’t forget to say hello!

Coloway!

Jeremy blogging to the left of me, Mike on the phone to the right of me, into the valley of mags rode the Colophon Trio!

Pics as soon as I get the right cable, but it’s all looking rather lovely. The upstairs exhibition accompany the book is all but ready, the atrium wall is filled with Shift!s, the Magazine Making room is all shiny and waiting for the chaos to begin. I’ve seen Karen, heard that BabyBabyBaby are in town, and all the preparations are going rather well… some would say too well…

And if you are coming, and haven’t yet started to follow the Twitter, you should. I’ve just seeded some surprises in there for later…


As Colophon nears, some news about a couple of thems that will be there:

Horst Moser has many alter-egos – owner of the world’s biggest magazine collection, author of essential-purchase Surprise Me!, founder of the studio Independent Medien Design – and he will be presenting his new publications cut and Schrift. He’s also known for his monthly one-page magazine cover compilations in Novum, made up of themed selections from his collection. I particularly liked this recent offering, featuring the one publicity shot of Madonna her people made available (scroll down).

As Jeremy has noted, there’ll be a new Karen there.

Acido Surtido is looking for new contributors. Its founder, Lucas, will be blogging the event in Spanish over at Visualmente.

And, like many magazines, Good has reduced its frequency, from bimonthly to quarterly in their case, to cope with the fall in ad revenue. Unlike other magazines, they announced their move in a special, very cute mini-sized, subscriber-only Recession Issue (cover line: “Now at least 80% less!”), which introduces their own special “Recession Alert” coding system, and opens with the words “Hello dearest.”

Much more to come…

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