Fanzines as Graphic Memory

Documentation And Preservation Practices in Brazil and International Contexts

Abstract

This study examines the documentation, organization, and preservation of fanzines in Brazil and international contexts, considering these publications as objects of graphic memory and as sources of knowledge production in design and visual culture. It is based on the premise that fanzines constitute practices of graphic experimentation associated with the construction of dissident narratives, whose continuity depends on documentation, organization, and access strategies that ensure their preservation. Drawing on the analysis of preservation initiatives developed by academic institutions, cultural organizations, and specialized collections, the study compares different preservation strategies. Methodologically, it adopts a qualitative cartographic approach grounded in a literature review and the analysis of preservation initiatives. The findings show that international institutions have developed more consolidated practices for organization, access, and preservation, whereas in Brazil such initiatives remain fragmented despite significant efforts to safeguard these materials. The study concludes that strengthening documentation, organization, and preservation practices enhances the visibility of fanzines, reinforcing their role as graphic memory, cultural heritage, and a relevant subject of contemporary design research.