The Glue Society journal is “a conveyable vessel for artwork”.
"I think we got a little carried away," says Jonathan Kneebone, co-founder of the Glue Society, of the Sydney-based art collective's first magazine – a chunky 264-page issue that aims to function as art rather than about it speak. Features include life writing – a series of pieces describing models of life rather than drawing them – new work by dead artists supposedly created through a psychological medium, and a series of photos taken from the outside and inside.
Installation-like works of art include The Time of Our Lives – a crashed car that has been put into exhibition state – and What Were We Thinking – a forklift that was defeated by an extra heavy box (a reaction to Brexit).
According to Kneebone, after Covid, the collective realized that it would be difficult to create installations or exhibitions as they usually do. Previous projects included GAYTMs celebrating LGBTQI culture and a pop-up graveyard honoring lost characters from Game of Thrones. Instead of these more experiential projects, the team started thinking about how people could experience art without having to gather in one place. Kneebone says a print publication is the most personal way to do this.
"We said it wouldn't be good if it felt like an exhibition but not in a gallery," the co-founder told CR. "And suddenly it all started to come together – a magazine of artwork that was better enjoyed through the mechanism or medium of a magazine."
After the Glue Society team was back in the office, Kneebone began putting together a melting pot of ideas – many of which somehow captured feelings about "this time, this moment and how Covid was for everyone".
"It's some of the lessons, thoughts, or feelings we've had," adds Kneebone. "Some of them are a bit funky than others, others are probably more twisted. We like to disorient people a little." There is some work that is more based on the feeling of feeling a bit isolated or remote – and on the feelings of what was going on in the rest of the world from our little corner. "
Each piece in the magazine is numbered – to emphasize that they are individual pieces of art – and can also be purchased from The Glue Society (a way to get around, including advertising in the magazine). And if the prices are too high for the larger pieces, prints are also offered.
Kneebone says the collective is already thinking about its follow-up topic, which in its opinion will be dedicated to a person who will be the work of art number 19. "In a sense, it's a little public comment about how much life people have now," he explains. "How much is achievement, how much is real, and where is the real person in all of this?"
The Glue Society magazine costs A $ 30. gluesociety.com