Book Launch – Steal This Zine: A Yippie Dissenter Handbook #1
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02.11.2024
Lee Janssen & Abi Hoffman
In 1971, Abbie Hoffman published Steal This Book, a countercultural manifesto filled with advice on civil disobedience and resisting the establishment. When Lee Janssen read the book, they realized that many of the issues Hoffman described remained relevant even today. This realization inspired Lee to modernize the work for a contemporary audience.
During Hoffman’s trial in 1968, he famously declared, “I live in Woodstock Nation,” signaling his commitment to the countercultural movement of the time. This idea became the foundation for Lee’s project. Through a zine, Lee aims to tell the story of the Yippie Woodstock Nation and rekindle the spirit of that era. Lee observes that many people today seek change but are unsure of how to achieve it. They hope to offer guidance, demonstrating that the pursuit of freedom can also be an enjoyable and creative process.
Lee has condensed Steal This Book and supplemented it with additional information. The text is paired with their own photographs, digitized images from photo books, internet images, illustrations, and collages, all coming together to form a unique zine. Most of the pages were crafted using analog methods, providing an authentic, hands-on feel that aligns with the Yippie culture.