Is print dead? I like when people say stuff like that. Especially the ones about something being dead. News flash for you there sport-o. Print, per se, was not something that was actually dead OR alive. I know, I know, hard to believe, but it is actually the people making, producing, buying, reading, looking, watching, judging, look at the baby, look at the baby… sorry. It is the people that make print either dead or alive. And my guess, and this is just a hunch, is that print is going to be here for a while.
But the good news is, if it stops (and I do not want it to) we can just go back through all the back issues of things like Braille Playboy, Maxxim, and Popular Mechanics (remember the Way Things Work? So Good) and laugh at the mistakes that we made back in the 80’s, or 90’s, or 70’s if you’re that old. Which I think some of you might be. That makes you more refined.
I took a whole slew of photos of publications today. And while I was doing this out in the open air, the wind was trying to ensure that print stayed dead. Whipping around those fragile pages (you would almost think print wants to die — all weak and frail like that) like kittens in a tornado in Brooklyn last night. I was almost that scared that I would tear a page, or something would get rumpled and then I would not be able to get the “Mint Condition” value that I strive for in all areas of my life. Mint condition hair, mint condition leg oil, mint condition ice cream, ok, this is getting weird. I made do the best I could and sometimes the pages fluttered out of my grasp and sometimes they were there, pressed under the skin of my withered fingers.
Moving forward. There were two types of publications that I was looking through. No books, we will save that for a bit later (maybe we should make this a weekly thing? Would people come back here just to read about publications? Sorry, that’s a little weird.) Anyway two different types. Traditional Magazines (spine, cover, glossy paper) and Newsprint (no real spine, no real cover, and uh no gloss, plus newsprint).
This whole process was exciting to me for a multitude of reasons. One of which was that I have been carrying a lot of these publications around hoping to shoot them in some glorious location. But that means that I have been carrying them around now for weeks. I put them in my bag when I leave for work thinking “I’m going to shoot these at the end of the day, when the light is just right, and maybe a few clouds are coming over the horizon.” But then I do not shoot them and end up putting them back in my bag more with an intent of “I’m going to shoot these really early in the morning before I head out, when the light is just right.” There is a lot of give and take these days and I have been giving loads to these publication and not taking enough pictures of them.
How’s that for an intro?
Magazines. I know I said magazines, but these are maybe not the most traditional magazines that you might find out there. 9W Magazine is a pretty awesome reminder of that. Picked this one up when I was hanging around at the Rapha Cycle Club in NYC. If you have not been to this place and you are anywhere near it, go check it out. For one because they have a new exhibition- up, and for two because the coffee and people working there are great.
Which is how I came to find out about 9W in the first place. Mike Spriggs again. He has what you might call a passion for the printed piece. Especially anything that happens to do with cycling. So, when last, or maybe it was the time before, stepped into the club, he was geeked about showing off 9W and introducing me to its creator.
The publication itself is what you might call beautiful. The stock that it is printed on is has a bit of a rough, or textured feel to it, but in a good way. It makes the blacks look a bit like they need to be a bit darker, “crushed” if you will, but never you mind, the whole thing comes away with the “misty” feel that you might expect from something like Rouleur, or an artier younger cousin. The focus of the piece is what sets it apart from other cycling publications that tend to easily lean towards the Professional cyclist. This one has something of an adventurist bent to it. Or a travelers bug, maybe that is what it is?
But aside from the great design (I like that they are using the lower third of the page the most) a couple little things stuck out right away. Plus, I am going to try out a criticism for each one as well. More of a learning experience for myself. So, don’t take it personally guys.
1. The tiny, almost hidden longitude and latitudes of each place visited. I missed it with the first pass (lie) but when I came across it again I was psyched to discover it. I like that. A lot.
2. I like that a good portion of the photography was shot from the bike. It gives you more of an inclusionary feeling when you are flipping through the pages. Something that certainly does not happen with a lot of other publications. Instead of feeling like you are looking in on something, you feel more a part of the action.
3. The back cover photo is amazing. And it makes me hungry for pastrami. Can’t imagine why?
What else? Maybe longer stories? A little something for the reader to sink his or her teeth into? There is obviously passion going into this thing. But, more more more is always the way to go with that right? The more the passion the better. All in all 9W is a joy to partake, the size and feel of it lends itself to this excitement, so go get a printed magazine here and I will kindly wait for the next one (fall??) to come out.
Winning Magazine’s 1986 World Championships
As I am looking and thinking about this one, which fellow Embrocation Racing team member Ryan Thomson dropped off, I am realizing that there are some holes in my story above. This “newspaper,” while it is the size of a traditional newspaper, and does fold like one, is on a heavier, coated stock than any newspaper I have seen.
No matter. Nelson Vales shorts make up for all of that. For everything actually. Those shorts make this piece of printed material worth making, worth bringing to life if you will (see? not dead).
Colorado Springs played host to the 1986 Worlds and its eventual winner Moreno Argentin. Who, as it turns out, shares a birthday with not only yours truly, but the up and coming release of the new Tron movie. I can be quite sure without even asking him that former World Champion Moreno Argentin is waaaay psyched about this occasion, and I am with you my man.
The Campagnolo sponsored insert (because that must have been what this publication was?) contains a poster-like image as its centerpiece. Just one more thing making certain that this little love letter to Worlds is seen as pretty awesome for years and years to come. Misty once again, but rightfully so. I love this.
I want to hang this on my wall in the hopes that some day soon we will have an American up there on the Worlds podium. In fact, I am going to pray day and night that in a few years time someone will step from the shadows and into the bright light (hopefully protected by some great eyewear) to take center stage.
The whole thing is awesome. In fact, I want Velonews, or Bicycling to make a supplement like this one this year. In fact, make it for Worlds? Just base it off this one, copy the format, find similar paper. And whatever you do, get Campy to make a rear derailleur like this one again. Hopefully with an undersexed Pozzato in place of Argentin.
All you need are these four elements:
1. Simple design. Great photography.
2. “Impressive Racing” (the crowds don’t even matter)
3. Campy to fun the whole thing.
4. Nelson Vales short and shoe combo.
Equals?
Winning.
Shouldn’t be that hard should it? Thanks Ryan.
Wow, that was a lot more than I thought it would be. There are still a few publications to go. A french one that I found in the JFK Airport. One about food that could be my current favorite. One solely about the history of basketball. Clothing, design, you name it and I’ve got it covered… but the one that is going to blow your mind the most, really make that watermelon-like protuberance atop your neck explode with glee?
This one.
