Junk Drawer

I recently caught a glimpse of the Chicago skyline in my rearview mirror, while driving past an alley near Western Avenue and Diversey. This was not the real skyline, but an imaginary view, painted on three cardboard panels. I quickly got out and took them from the side of the dumpster and put them into the back of the hatchback, where they just barely fit.
Each section is about 4 ½ feet tall and 3 feet wide. The scene is mostly airbrushed, and it looks like it might have been part of a set from a play. A friend thinks that it has a certain cheesy charm that would be fitting for a prom, or a school dance. It was most likely from some special event, but now that that event has passed, this skyline has no place to be.
If it had been a backdrop for a dance, there must be photographs of this skyline there in the background, with everyone all dressed up. If so, then at least there will be some record of it, for memories of that moment.

I’ve since discovered that one of the panels fits perfectly in the window next to my bed, which helps block the morning sunlight better than the blinds do.
Besides that, it also offers a nice imaginary view.

A zine reading from
“Junk Drawer” issues #2 and #3.

Listen to the podcast!

At The Hungry Brain bar in Chicago,
April 21st 2009.
Presented by You, Me, Them, Everybody

“Junk Days,” to one particular community, is an annual spring cleaning time to throw things away. But to anyone who loves finding stuff thrown out, Junk Days is a terrific and fun event. This zine is partly a Junk Days guide to junking, with plenty of junk finding tips. It is also a chronicle of favorite finds, plus some Junk Days history. For anyone who enjoys dumpster diving, this is kind of an upscale, suburban version of it. Half size, black and white, 44 pages full of text and original photos straight from the curbsides of Junk Days.

This zine is about the nature of getting things second hand. Whether you’re going to thrift stores, garage sales, or just finding stuff any old place, the experience gives you “indirectness.” That is, it’s apart from the direct marketing and advertising driving everyone toward typical big box retail stores. It ponders the whole interest in used stuff. Quarter size, black and white photocopied, 50 pages, half text and half original photos.