In 2006, I had this idea for an anonymous magazine, giving the writer/artist/photographer not just the freedom to display uncensored work, but the opportunity to be whoever they choose to be. The concept was to go all out, no holds barred. I e-mailed, messaged and called my most opinionated/creative friends and requested (demanded really) submissions.
don’t i look great in man-drag? ghassan interviewed me for the lime green issue of GIG
The response was fantastic. I can say that I went all out, even creating my alter-ego, Ghassan Al-Kindi, who went on to great things. The pink issue turned out to be a two page newspaper type publication that my cohorts and I kept on gallery and select restaurant doorsteps. This issue had a submissions box on the back page. Now here’s my gripe:
Not a single submission was sent. I was so disappointed in people. This was an opportunity to anonymously publish works, and no one was interested. I think I would have been if someone else had offered. There is so little by means of legitimately artistic venues, we are parched for culture and art, it just made me sick.
I went ahead with the lime green issue hoping that maybe this time ’round I’d get some feedback. Maybe this one would galvanize the people into submitting their works. Again, nothing. The thing is, I go to the openings of these shows and I see people who are genuinely artistic, whether artistically minded or appreciators of art. I don’t know, maybe GIG was just shit.
It doesn’t matter any more. This is the end of GIG for me. I did it. It was fun. And now it’s done.