Frame By Frame 🖼️
by APASA Interns Emma Hui and Katherine Nguyen
On a rare rainy night in Los Angeles, scissors, glue, stacks of sticker books and boxes of felt tip markers are spread across the desks in a DMC classroom. You walk past the door – what could possibly be happening? APASA’s first advocacy event of the year, that’s what!
Empowering Frame by Frame was led by our Co-Advocacy Chairs, Komal (she/they) and Matt (they/them), along with their committee that included your lovely writers, Emma (she/her) and Kat (she/her). Inspired by how victims capture evidence through polaroids and reclaim their strength through art, Matt and Komal organized an event for people to create zines.
Our lovely Co-Advocacy Chairs, Komal and Matt!
The zine-making workshop focused on raising awareness of domestic abuse. As students settled into groups, enjoying donuts and admiring the stickers and washi tapes, Komal and Matt introduced the event with the prompt, “What is an activity that is healing for you? How do you express yourself creatively?” Many people seemed to find cleaning soothing and journaling creative.
I (Emma) learned that the definition of domestic violence expanded beyond partners and family to one’s friends and ex-partners. Matt and Komal made sure to acknowledge that while women are the biggest victims of domestic abuse, men, children, and the elderly can also be victims. I (Kat) sometimes wonder how it is possible to exist after tragedy especially when silence feels like the safer option. I think that is something that this advocacy event addressed through channeling artistry as an outlet. To stimulate conversation about domestic violence and its implications, a documentary account of domestic violence from Lana, a Pacific Islander, was presented. Discussion soon erupted about how pride and reputation often conflict with seeking justice. The normalisation of brutal violence in her culture was disturbing as even with life-threatening injuries, her witnesses would remain bystanders. The word “zine” is shortened from “fanzine” and tellingly, zines originated from fans of science fiction in the 1930s. Zines are small-circulation self-published works and are a vehicle for ideas, expression, art, and protest! After promoting publications at USC, instructions were provided and we started our own masterpieces. For many, this was their exciting first time making a zine.
With stickers and markers scattered around, people were eager to decorate these blank canvases. Or maybe the energy was fueled by the adorable donuts passed around. To embellish zine covers with the beautiful faces of USC’s APIDA community, we captured smiles on polaroid film. Polaroids, while commonly known for instantly capturing fun memories, were used by many to capture physical visual evidence of abuse on victims. Zines ranged from comedic symbolism to elaborate political commentary. Our artists crafted alongside new and familiar faces. Congratulations to APASA for another amazing event! HOORAY!