Public Illumination Magazine

Public Illumination Magazine (PIM) is an artists' periodical published since 1979, notable for its tiny size (11 × 7 cm). Each issue features a given topic. The general flavor of the contents ranges from parody to the absurd, with brevity a constant.

Public Illumination Magazine mocks the traditions of mainstream magazines. The pocket-size of the magazine, its use of pseudonyms, and its irreverent tone tweak the expectations produced by the large format glossy magazines.[1] Long-time writers include: Sophie D. Lux, Fitty Sense, Rank Cologne, mr Basho and the King of France. The use of such pseudonyms is intended to mock contemporary mainstream magazines' obsession with celebrity.[2]

Founded in underground art and literary circles in downtown New York by Zagreus Bowery; originally "non-weekly", later "non-monthly", then "non-biannual", it is now "non-occasional" and published in Italy.[2]

Writers and artists who have contributed include: Ken Brown, Steve Dalachinsky, Keith Haring, Michael Madore, David Sandlin, Hal Sirowitz, Sparrow, Mike Topp, David Wojnarowicz, and Diane Torr.

Complete series of the maga�zine are held by the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Pompidou Center in Paris.

Notes

  1. NYU Library
  2. 2.0 2.1 LATimes blog

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