Leave it to the Brooklyn Zine Fest to promote big bushes and little breasts.
The borough’s annual symposium of independent, DIY books and magazines is looking decidedly lurid this year with the inclusion of “Tsurufoto Nudiezine,” a photospread magazine that aims to celebrate all aspects of womanhood.
“We don’t like the idea that women should subscribe to society or that bulls—,” said “Tsurufoto Nudiezine” photographer and editor Aaron Tsuru. “It is a big ‘f— you’ to society, to say ‘you can’t tell them what to do.’ ”
To reach his lofty and apparently altruistic goals, Tsuru has photographed hundreds of Brooklyn women in various stages of undress to grace the pages of his magazine.
One issue focuses on women with “itty bitty” breasts, while another is resplendent with photos of women who keep their pubic grooming style au naturel. Past editions of the photocopied, black-and-white magazines — which are held together with staples — have also included nude-lady-themed caption contests, mazes, and paint-by-numbers activities.
Tsuru — not his real name — moved to Brooklyn from Florida by way of Columbus, Ohio, and along the way, he found many unsatisfying outlets for his photography habit. While he was in Columbus, he encountered a small zine shop and realized that it was a good way to get his photography out into the world.
He has put out 29 issues of the zine since 2010, with no signs of slowing down.
“I have this stuff in my brain and I have to get it out,” said Tsuru. “What else am I going to do with it — put it on Tumblr?”
This year, the Brooklyn Zine Fest will be held on April 26 and 27 at the Brooklyn Historical Society, with a new crop of vendors and books each day.
“The zine commnity has been growing in the past few years and we wanted to give as many people the chance to participate as possible,” festival co-founder Kseniya Yarosh said of the jump to two days.
Brooklyn Zine Fest at the Brooklyn Historical Society, [128 Pierrpont St. at Clinton Street in Brooklyn Heights, (718) 222–4111, www.brooklynzinefest.com. April 26 and 27 from 11 am–6 pm. Free.
