Exhibitions
IVAM surrenders to the fanzine
250 works and forty authors to explore the universe of fanzines
The Valencian Institute of Modern Art (IVAM) creates a spectacular panorama with one of the great exhibitions of this 2025, This is not a comic! Fanzines: Avant-garde and innovation of comics in Spain, curated by Álvaro M. Pons and Noelia Ibarra. A temporary exhibition in gallery 6 of the Valencian center where it gives value to the fanzine and its expressive possibilities.
Fanzines (also known as fanzine) constitute the first step of bold proposals, absolute freedom from self-publishing and completely crossing self-imposed borders. A journey that begins in the 70s of the 20th century with La piraña divina, the first issue of TMEO, with authors who are part of the exhibition are Begoña García, Carlos Maiques, Yeyei Gómez or José Tomás, among others.
Exposició Fanzines ©Juan-García IVAM
One of the main objectives of this exhibition path that has been created at the IVAM is "not to kill this essence of the fanzine", explained Noelia Ibarra, and this gives rise to the creation of a binomial between visitor and spirit of the fanzine, in addition to all its meaning within the world of comics. It has been done based on a diversity of styles, proposals and experimentation.
Over the decades, the graphic style of the fanzine has been investigated, its rebellious side, with new themes and innovative visions far from impositions. The title of the exhibition crosses out the word 'no' to make an analogy between comics that is sometimes made when the reader is in front of a fanzine, because it is not only comics, but also renewal, experimentation, avant-garde and innovation.
The collection of the IVAM Fanzinoteca will be an essential part of the exhibition that was established in 2018 as the first Fanzinoteca in Spain and is a reference for its study in the Spanish and European context. Two routes are articulated, starting with a historical itinerary with the most representative publications of the first forays into fanzine; a second route with a careful selection of authors from recent years to create a detailed overview of experimentation in comics.
Exposició Fanzines ©Juan-García IVAM
Until November 9th, you can visit the great exhibition of fanzines at the IVAM and Blanca de la Torre explains the possibility of creating bridges between these two worlds: museums and fanzines. She also explains that within her museum project - she became the new director of the Valencian museum a month ago - the most traditional visual arts must be in constant dialogue with the other disciplines. With This is not comics! Fanzines: Avant-garde and innovation of comics in Spain, the door is wide open to the phenomenon of fanzines and half a century of creation of these transgressive publications.
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