A popular blog based out of Boooklyn (and Richmond, sorta), TheBLAAAHg.com, is in the process of raising money through the seemingly ubiquitous Kickstarter crowdfunding site to release a print version of their online publication. Their goal is to distribute 5,000 copies of the magazine in Richmond and Brooklyn. Their Kickstarter page states “with e-publishing and the internet, there's no necessity for this [print] medium, but the romanticism lives on. The physical structure of this magazine will transcend any domain name in the future.” The Kickstarter, which began May 6, hopes to bring in $5,000. This money would go towards printing cost and compensation for individuals involved in the process. The funding ends Saturday, May 26th and they plan on releasing the magazine in early June.
In a conversation with Mauricio Vargas, editor-in-chief of TheBLAAAHg and the mind behind the transition to print, he said the goal of the print edition was to provide a “gallery” type setting for “up-and-coming fine artists.” The large layout--17"x22", about the size of an unfolded newspaper--is meant to provide this feeling, and it will allow the featured art to stand-alone and draw the eye. BLAAAH’s proposed print version is set to feature an array of artists in a variety artistic mediums. Visual artists, musicians, and even jewelry are going to be showcased in the debut issue.
Mauricio said the original website started out as a way of showcasing friends whose work he really respected. Now, he says TheBLAAAHg.com has grown into a “community” of people who are all at a similar stage in their life and want to help each other succeed.
The past few months has required a lot of “organization, vision, and foresight” on the part of Mauricio. It was an idea that he started playing around with in February, and months later it is starting to come to fruition. He said the past few months have been similar to “managing a crazy restaurant in your head.” This has been Mauricio’s first attempt at creating a print extension to the website. He plans on circulating two issues a year: spring/summer, and fall/winter.
Look for your own copy of BLAAAH in Richmond starting in early June. They plan on printing the magazine regardless of the Kickstarter results, but they can use all the help that they can get. In addition to copies of the magazine, backer rewards also include t-shirts, signed prints by artists featured in the first issue, and ad space in the magazine. To contribute to BLAAAH's Kickstarter fund, click here:
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/theblaaahg/blaaah-mag-issue-1-ss2013