Second Life: Light Bulb Magazine
East of Borneo brings back LA-based music and art magazines from the ’70s
The online publication based in LA East of Borneo has embraced the magic of print in a series called Second Life, in which they bring back the long-lost printed wonders of decades past. For one of their latest revivals, East of Borneo brought back the art and music culture of the ’70s with Light Bulb Magazine, a publication made by artists, for artists.
The unbound, 60 or so page magazine is printed “occasionally” by the Los Angeles Free Music Society in Pasadena, California. Comprised of suggestive collage-style graphics, daring poetry and candid interviews, Light Bulb’s rebellious, free-thinking message and DIY aesthetic draws the reader into the decade’s artist-style living.
The original Light Bulb made the most of its limited funds using 8.5 x 11 looseleaf, photocopying and cardboard boxes. Keeping with the original format, Second Life: Light Bulb 1977-1981 includes reproductions of works originally contributed by Chip Chapman, Dennis Duck, Ace Farren Ford and Pat Fish, along with a uniquely designed “cover” with custom stencil and stamp stickers applied by hand then sealed with duct tape. Inside, readers will find a myriad of stream of consciousness-style writings and poems, tragic news stories from the ’70s, Halloween-inspired graphics and Dr Seuss-gone-mad cartoons. The rampant drama keeps the pages turning and, as an added gift, East of Borneo includes a second set of statement stickers inside the box.
Light Bulb is available from East of Borneo for $35.
Photos by Lauren Espeseth
