Public Illumination Magazine

Public Illumination Magazine (PIM) is an artists' periodical published since 1979, notable for its tiny size (11 × 7 cm). Each issue features a given topic. The general flavor of the contents ranges from parody to the absurd, with brevity a constant.

Public Illumination Magazine mocks the traditions of mainstream magazines. The pocket-size of the magazine, its use of pseudonyms, and its irreverent tone tweak the expectations produced by the large format glossy magazines.^[1] Long-time writers include: Sophie D. Lux, Fitty Sense, Rank Cologne, mr Basho and the King of France. The use of such pseudonyms is intended to mock contemporary mainstream magazines' obsession with celebrity.^[2]

Founded in underground art and literary circles in lower Manhattan by Zagreus Bowery; originally "non-weekly", later "non-monthly", then "non-biannual", it is now "non-occasional" and published in Italy.^[2]

Writers and artists who have contributed include: Ken Brown, Steve Dalachinsky, Keith Haring, Michael Madore, David Sandlin, Hal Sirowitz, Sparrow, Mike Topp, David Wojnarowicz, and Diane Torr.

Complete series of the magazine are held by the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Pompidou Center in Paris.

Through 2017, 60 issues have been published covering the following themes:

Telephones
Virulence
Mass Transit
Little Girls
Cosmetic Mutilation
Livestock
War Games
Habits
The Truth
Husbands
Artifice
Tongues
Civilization
Rejects
Idols
Pain & Sorrow
Excess
Scales
Technique
Races
Contraception
Disguise
Comestibles
Vermin
Flora & Fauna
Heredity
Instruments
Propaganda
Home
Water Sports
The Future
Miracles
Casualties
Foreigners
Youth
Secrets
Organs
Fun
Mother
Hallucinations
Underwear
Enemies
Shadows
Neighbors
Balls
Busts
Luxury
Hair
Climate
Bullshit
Passion
Space
Trash
Spice
Doom & Gloom
Lethargy
Vehicles
Fortune
Flesh
Heaven

Notes

^ "Public Illumination Magazine". New York University Library. Retrieved 9 June 2009.
^ ^a ^b McGonigle, Thomas (10 March 2008). "The great little magazine". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 9 June 2009.

Sources

Caputi, Jane (1987). The age of sex crime. Popular Press. ISBN 978-0-87972-385-9. p140
Caputi, Jane (2004). Goddesses and monsters: women, myth, power, and popular culture. Popular Press. ISBN 978-0-299-19624-0. p225

External links

Public Illumination Magazine website
Public Illumination Magazine WorldCat entry

[1] "Public Illumination Magazine". New York University Library. Retrieved 9 June 2009.

[LAT-2] McGonigle, Thomas (10 March 2008). "The great little magazine". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 9 June 2009.

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