NURTURE FURTIVE IDEAS AND PRODUCE DEGENERATE PROGRAMME MATERIAL.
Coke Oven is a database, directory, Library and index of Zine. It is designed to allow easier discovery and sharing of content between Zine makers, readers and collectors.
It was founded under the idea of being a gradually growing and evolving resource which can be utilised by artists and those seeking art to make it easier to access content and connect more directly with creators to get hold of their work.
As of writing this we have nearly 300 Zines logged on the site and the submission form is always open.
Not long after getting into the Zine community whilst creating Null Point I (Graham) found a consistent issue frustrating me. Zines are fantastic and independently produced items at the heart of DIY culture however their life span can be short and volatile for the same reason. As such Pages, Websites and blogs related to them tend to linger and fall to the way side so when finding a new Zine you are often faced with erroring web pages and unresponsive e-mail databases. Not to mention online selling platforms gradually shifting to a pay to play model preventing work like this being found.
For my sins I have currently been tech industry adjacent since 2015 and I realised with a small amount of basic project management and a fund I was willing to pay there could be something more consistent. Thus formed Coke Oven in 2021.
Coke Oven is a not for profit Zine directory. A large ever growing resource and database which aims to give Zine fans better access to Zines and Artists more direct access to an audience. It does this by maintaining a completely free database/library anyone can submit to and categorising base on topic and price point only. There is no algorithm, no entry fee, no hidden charges or pay wall it’s just a resource whose usefulness depends on audience involvement.
A secondary part of the site as well focuses on funding. As we know a large amount of people and communities at large are cut off from libraries, publishing options and priced out of printing runs. Growing up in a small town I know this for a fact and one of the main challenges of an emerging artist is to be able to fund their own project.
To cover this challenge in 2023 I also added the Coke Oven: Funding Initiative which allows anyone and everyone to apply for a one of stipend of up to $100 to get their project of the ground.
My overall hope is through sharing this DIY passion and supporting emerging artists its offers a safe space on the web for people from all over to share their creations and find others.
