Loose is a zine dedicated to making it up as you go along
- Text by Niall Flynn
- Photography by Gorsad Kiev
Loose is an art and photography that celebrates the noble art of winging it. When it comes to volume three, the brainchild of Joe Goicoechea, Charlie Warcup and Sam Hamer remains as naughty as ever: the new issue sees them (in their own words) exploring “dicks, tits and everything in between”.
That means collating submissions from an eclectic range of photographers, painters, illustrators and sculptors, all of whom were responding to the same criteria. “The brief was one word: ‘Loose’,” explain the founders, speaking collectively. “It has always been and will always be the brief for these group zines.”
Their third issue, which launches with a party at London’s 71a Gallery on 4 April, features work from the likes of Cole Flynn Quirke, Nadz Banaag, Eva Zimmer and Anna Breit. The subject matter, meanwhile, ranges from weed to Jeremy Corbyn (as well as plenty of the aforementioned nudity).
Sam Phillips
“There isn’t a grand intellectual theme or link running through this zine or the ones that have preceded it. It’s always been as simple as finding stuff we love and printing it.”
“We don’t really have any criteria for the artists we work with. We feel like the broader we make things, the bigger the mix of work we’ll end up with. Naturally we gravitate to certain aesthetics but in general it’s good to keep an open mind with these things.”
James Springall
Making things up as they go along is central to the Loose idea – when it comes to plans for the future, they’re taking things one project at a time. Having recently published a selection of photo and fanzines, next on the list is to host a few exhibitions. “Let’s see what happens – and if it doesn’t, fuck it,” they say, with trademark irreverence.
“A wise man once said, life’s for living and living is for life.”
Adam Connett
Zhamak Fullad
Ollie Murphy
Mike Spears
London Vagabond
Eva Zimmer
Cameron Hoerth
Anna Breit
Loose’s Issue Three launch party takes place on 4 April, 2019 at London’s 71a Gallery.
Enjoyed this article? Like Huck on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.
You might like
“Magazines are cultural artefacts”: magCulture’s Jeremy Leslie on the enduring importance of print
We love magazines — Despite the ever creeping digitalisation of the world and culture, physical objects are taking on different, yet vital, roles in culture today. Ella Glossop chats to one of London’s biggest proponents of the art about why we need to support independent publications.
Written by: Ella Glossop
The anti-tourism guides revealing Lisbon’s true, radical heart
We Hate Tourism Tours — The Portuguese capital sees millions of people visit a year, against a backdrop of political turbulence and a housing crisis fuelled by short term holiday lets. Jack Burke meets the crew subverting their city’s perception, while bringing lesser seen stories and monuments to light.
Written by: Jack Burke
Defiance and pride in Chicano Camera Culture
A Photographic History — A new major exhibition surveys Mexican American photography over six decades, platforming Chicano artists at a Chicano museum for the first time.
Written by: Miss Rosen
The global skateboarding crew reshaping Muslim sisterhood
Skater Uktis — Founded in London in 2020, the crew has ballooned across the world, with meetups and members in Pakistan, Palestine and beyond. Zahra Onsori tracks its rise and the powerful community it has created.
Written by: Zahra Onsori
The art of paying attention: How Austria’s Alps reward slowing down
Lebensgefühl — With a growing movement of art and music rooted in the area’s mountains, trees and waterfalls, the region is showcasing the importance of the human relationship to nature.
Written by: Sophie Lou Wilson
Grainy, yearning memories of Europe’s ’90s free rave heyday
Never Alone — A new photobook from Cheyenne Clementi and Valentina Morandi presents pictures they made over seven years while touring the continent as part of the Tekno Mobil Squad soundsystem crew. It archives parties, people and a lifestyle largely consigned to the past.
Written by: Isaac Muk
