As part of CYCLE UP! and the The Green Side of Libraries, we had a day of making and crafting with sustainable materials at the Goethe-Institut, Prague. We had hands-on artistic workshops using found objects and recycled materials such as old wallpaper, wrapping paper, magazines, and newspapers.
Ester Rosíková from KreativAtelier led a workshop to make small gifts such as Christmas angels and decorations with recycled paper and aluminium coffee capsules.
In the zine workshop, led by Lotte van den Hoogen, each participant created a zine about an experience or life story regarding feminist themes. A zine (short for fanzine and magazine) is a self-published, often photocopied, non-commercial print work. Zines are an important medium because they can provide a safe and independent platform for expression for marginalised and underrepresented voices. They allow for self-expression, telling your story and sharing your emotions. Because of its small and easy format, it allows even the smallest voices to be heard. The zines have now been reproduced and are available from the zine vending machine at the Goethe-Institut in Prague.
Upcycling was combined with bookbinding in the workshops by Reformát and Zuzana Mašková for both adults and young people. Participants created homemade notebooks and pencils, made using old magazines and wrapping paper, and we introduced new techniques and materials in the production of notebooks.
