"Shimokitazawa Generations" is renowned among the independent bookstores. Just by searching it on Facebook, you can already see more than 55000 likes for its page. It isn't a plain bookstore, but it is a creative studio that publishes, edits, designs and develops independent printing. Its two founders, Monique Lee and David Lo, move forward in their own ways. They are keen on collecting and keeping abreast of independent publications and magazines from different places, and they are very enthusiastic in employing a unique angle to introduce and interpret works that they deeply appreciate. Touched by the passion and perseverance of the artists and creators around them, they started "Shimokitazawa Generations" in 2007. Besides sharing and broadcasting their ideas and vision, they also strive to create an alternative platform to collect words and record life.

Why is the Japanese district Shimokitazawa used as your name? Is it suggesting your desire to bring its characteristics, energy and culture to the younger generation?

It is actually a bit hard to answer the "why" question precisely. Years ago, I travelled to Tokyo and encountered this special district called Shimokitazawa. This place made an impression with its culture, atmosphere and smell of vitality throughout the streets. Not just that, I find its name looks particularly nice. In fact, Shimokitazawa has an interesting district planning, with half of it being the quiet and high-class residential area, and the other half being the bustling shopping area. But the conflicting two perfectly coexist! Shimokitazawa is also a cradle for independent bands. There are a lot of live music performances along the streets. I also see a lot of live houses, theatres and university in this district. What's more, I can seek the hidden treasures like mini independent bookstores, second-hand boutiques, pachinko shops, stylish coffee shops or even some scruffy grocery stores. These are my favorites. With our observation, we know that a lot of famous editors also choose to reside in this special district.

How do you choose what kind of topic or genre to publish? What elements does a magazine need to possess in order to be a good one?

I use what interests me to start with. For "Shimokitazawa Generations", we are much more keen on genres like portraits, drawings, art and design. My late partner David Lo was deeply passionate in the portrait field, and he used to keep on recommending loads of portrait works to us. For me, I love drawing, so I am more interested in paintings or some works related to art and design. We also like independent books and magazines with distinguishing features. We do hope to stay young and open within, so we particularly pay attention to creations by new authors or cutting-edge photographers.

Visual presentation is important to me. It is like meeting someone for the first time. You do look for unique qualities that can grab your eyes. You might desire to go on chatting with that person because of those qualities. Another thing is about how a magazine plans its chapters and content. Is there any story behind? Is it well-developed? Is its focus unique? Is it daring and free enough? One can also take a glimpse of a magazine's way of seeing and character through its mixing of publisher and art director, and matching of photographers and models. Basically, a magazine doesn't have to attain all of the above conditions. As long as it can base itself in an area and demonstrate a rich content or characteristic, we would already take the magazine into consideration.

Our social networking world is getting more graphical, and words are getting more and more simplified. Is this impact good or bad?

I don't think there's any absolute good or bad. We have to learn to adapt to changes in speech and changes in the delivery of feelings just like how living things evolve themselves. Of course we would miss our old ways and purity in things occasionally, yet I still believe that these things are not gone. As long as we do not bow down to our modern convenience or let our minds go lazy, I am sure we can still retain the good old qualities. (laugh)

This reminds me of the Japanese designer Atsuki Kikuchi's exhibition not so long ago. He brings out such issues in his graphic designs. This exhibition is called "Creation Is Free. Production Needs Fee." Nowadays with the spread of technology and data, innovation has become very easy and cheap; however, through designers' drafting, printing and production, buyers need to consume in order to acquire the art product. The exhibition is split into two venues. One is with free data available for viewers to download designs with the size they want. As for the other side, there are finished design products like notebooks, mugs, tote bags and matches. I find this a daring move in testing how the interaction between viewers and his designs can go. Internet dissolves the boundary, yet it sort of problematizes creativity in a way.

What are your plans in breeding youngsters' cultural understanding in the future?

It has become the trend of the times for more and more independent artists to join individual publishing. We hope to create an international and interactive zine platform. In the case of New York, art book fairs are very common. We believe that we can create one for Taiwan as well. We hope to cooperate with other art book fairs to further enhance the networking between publishers and artists in Asia, such that we can develop a variety of zine in different places. But that's going to be a huge project that needs lots of different people to work together. We might even unite Asian zine groups to take part in European and American art book fairs.

Besides, we are using "Moving Library" as a main theme to cooperate with different special stores, trendy cafés and stylish furniture shops in a long-term basis. We fit such spaces with ongoing special planning and exhibitions. Through reading and living experiences, we can convey the unique diction choice and cultural experiences embedded in books. Our “Shimokitazawa Generations” bookstore will also release some theme-based exhibitions for micro publishers and creators regularly.

Thank you Monique. The following website provides more information about "Shimokitazawa Generations" for your reference:
Facebook
Official website