Good reads: Migrant Journal, Crepe City and At The Table
Our latest round up of good reads includes a magazine about migration, one about sneakers and another that tells food tales
The Migrant Journal, issue 1
The editors describe this new publication as an “intellectual response to the migrant crisis”. But while inspired by the current political climate this magazine is about migration in the broader sense – the movement of people, goods, information etc.
The first issue studies some of the more recognised patterns of movement, like the journey of migrants from Mexico to North America, and a few less obvious ones such as the way the Californian delta has been shaped by development (in particular the construction of levees).
This journal, which will run for six issues, is the product of a successful Kickstarter campaign run by the magazine’s two editors, designer Catarina de Almeida Brito and urbanist Justinien Tribillon. Issue 1, entitled Across Country was launched in late October with the support of 220 backers. “We want Migrant Journal to capture migration in the current times,” explains Brito, “but also for it to be relevant in years, decades to come. Perhaps one might compare it to an encyclopaedia in that regard.”
This approach is evident in the nature of the content and the design of the journal, which Brito describes as “a hybrid between a magazine and a book”. While it reads like an academic textbook, Migrant Journal has some peculiar design details – such as the striking use of type, laid almost disruptively on pages in varying sizes; the handiwork of designer duo Isabel Seiffert and Christoph Miler.
Migrant Journal isn’t the sort of magazine you’d necessarily read while in transit yourself – it’s an intentionally in-depth read that demands thoughtful reflection.
Crepe City, issue 03
Crepe City is a magazine dedicated solely to trainers. Of particular interest in this issue is an opening story about gender equality in sneaker culture and a great feature about basketball legend Walt ‘Clyde’ Frazier’s relationship with footwear – that traces the evolution of celebrity endorsements and brand partnerships in the trainer industry.
In terms of both its tone and its range of stories, Crepe City seems to have found a fine balance – it manages to fetishise sneaker culture but is broad enough in its approach to be relevant to a wide audience. There’s a great variety of content, from in depth interviews to more fashion mag-esque eye candy for the so inclined.
The bi-annual magazine is published in tandem with Crepe City events. Running since 2009 these are a series of sneaker exhibitions which pop up in different parts of Europe. The redesigned Issue no 3, which is slightly larger in size than the first two, was launched at the last event on October 22 with two different cover options, on its signature textured paper.
At The Table, issue 02
This is an annual magazine celebrates the act of sitting at the table, weaving narratives around contemporary British food culture. Short stories, poems, charming illustrations, recounted memories and personal experiences replace recipes and the over-styled plates of photogenic food that one usually expects to find in a magazine about food.
My favourites from this issue include a story about the art of designing menus and a Glaswegian food critic’s account of her fondness and longing for pakoras the way they’re done in Glasgow. The issue also has some lovely photo stories such as an ode to street food featuring shots of chips found under a shutter in Dalston and an abandoned can of corned beef.
From November 30 to December 6 the magazine will also host The Food Salon, a pop-up community space apparently modelled on literary salons of the 17th-century, where attendees are invited to sip on cups of tea and have relaxed conversations about politics, art, food, literature and so on. More details here.
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