Now Place is an art community and independent publisher based in San Francisco, championing female and emerging artists/creators from the Asian diaspora.
As a collective, we showcase culturally rooted works that celebrate the rich heritage and diverse narratives of Asian cultures. Our stories and zines blend tradition, innovation, and personal expression, offering a window into our shared identities in an interconnected world. Reflecting our dual identity, most of our zines and books are multi-lingual.
I AM CAT series
我是貓
I AM CAT Series is a bilingual collection of zines created in collaboration between Now Place and artist Akaa, inspired by solitary walks through neighborhoods in cities like Hong Kong. This series explores themes of identity, tradition, and duality through the lens of feline perspectives through storytelling and visual art, offering a whimsical yet poignant look at the intersection of the modern and traditional.
AT SHOP IN ASIA 铺头猫在香港
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The story invites you into the enchanting world of three cats residing in a traditional Chinese medicine shop in Hong Kong, that is about to close.
One of the central themes of this zine is the exploration of identity in the intersection between the modern world and tradition. While the Chinese medicine store is going away, three cats navigate their roles within the shop and interact with the diverse array of customers.
Artist: Akaa, Published by Now place
Daily cat literature 小猫文学
"I AM CAT IN BETWEEN WORLDS" is a collection of stories created by Akaa that bring the world of 小貓文學 (Little Cat Literature) to life. Through the eyes of our curious and endearing feline protagonists, the stories delve into the intricacies of dual identity—navigating the space between being human and cat, being Asian and residing in the Western world.
Artist: Akaa, Published by Now place
"I AM CAT IN BETWEEN WORLDS" is a collection of stories created by Akaa that bring the world of 小貓文學 (Little Cat Literature) to life. Through the eyes of our curious and endearing feline protagonists, the stories delve into the intricacies of dual identity—navigating the space between being human and cat, being Asian and residing in the Western world.
Artist: Akaa, Published by Now place
51 Personae
We proudly feature 51 Personae, a collaborative art project and independent publishing initiative that began as an off-site program of the 11th Shanghai Biennale. Now a self-sustaining publishing platform, 51 Personae champions publishing as a vital artistic practice. Their work emphasizes life experiences in Asia, the Third World, and marginalized voices under suppression, fostering dialogue across diverse perspectives.
Beijing Underground
北京地下
“Beijing Underground” is a story of trapped people.One summer, four people were trapped in a bar inBeijing after falling asleep on a black couch, and three of them knew very well that the only way to get out is to go to the "Beijing Underground". They chatted and gossiped, gradually realizing that the Tengu mask on the wall can help them out of their predicament. Finally, they left the bar carrying the Tengu mask and walked down the street.
Artist: Gong yi, Published by 51 personae
51 Tan 51摊
51 Tan is a commissioned record of the Shanghai street vendors that Cao Feile took notice of and made observation of from 2016 to 2023. Initially published as a series of social media posts on the 11 Shanghai Biennale's WeChat platform in the form of 连环画 (Chinese pulp comics), the record outlines a collection of itinerant peddlers she took efforts to approach, get close to and interact with. The details are vivid, subtle, and warmly human.
Artist: Cao Feile, Published by 51 persona project
51 Tan is a commissioned record of the Shanghai street vendors that Cao Feile took notice of and made observation of from 2016 to 2023. Initially published as a series of social media posts on the 11 Shanghai Biennale's WeChat platform in the form of 连环画 (Chinese pulp comics), the record outlines a collection of itinerant peddlers she took efforts to approach, get close to and interact with. The details are vivid, subtle, and warmly human.
Artist: Cao Feile, Published by 51 persona project
te magazine
We proudly feature bilingual publication te magazine. Each issue takes inspiration from the current moment, generates a theme best encapsulating the thinking sparked by that moment, and invites researchers and creators from different fields to share their work around it.
te issue 3: Mirroring 镜中寻步
te issue 3: Mirroring 镜中寻步 explores themes of self-discovery, healing, and confronting personal and collective plights. Through essays, interviews, and collaborations, contributors delve into topics like colonial legacies, trauma, cultural identity, and resilience. The issue emphasizes personal narratives, collaboration, and the interplay between individual and collective healing. It invites readers to explore how self-understanding and creative expression can transform challenges into growth.
Minnan Exit 不辞而别
Since 2015, Wen-You Cai has photographed family funerals in Quanzhou, Fujian, exploring grief, Minnan rituals, and her fear of death. Minnan Exit, designed by RELATED DEPARTMENT, blends personal photos with cultural insights, reflecting her journey to understand and reconcile mortality.
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te issue 3: Mirroring 镜中寻步 explores themes of self-discovery, healing, and confronting personal and collective plights. Through essays, interviews, and collaborations, contributors delve into topics like colonial legacies, trauma, cultural identity, and resilience. The issue emphasizes personal narratives, collaboration, and the interplay between individual and collective healing. It invites readers to explore how self-understanding and creative expression can transform challenges into growth.
Art pints, stickers, magnets
Rooted in the artist's identity as Chinese and inspired by the cultural melting pot of San Francisco, each illustration in the series depicts a charming scene where cute animals take on the forms of beloved foods, accompanied by bilingual puns that cleverly connect Mandarin and English words. From a bagel-shaped dog (贝狗) to a mochi-inspired cat (猫气), the artworks invite viewers to delight in the playful interplay between language and imagery.
Artist: Akaa, Published by Now place
Bilingual Delights
双语趣伙伴
Star-gazing syndrome 观星症
Star-Gazing Syndrome is a bilingual collection of poems and illustrations by artist Yaoting Wang. This evocative work delves into the intimate and universal act of daily life, exploring themes of longing, introspection, and connection to each other. Through a harmonious blend of poetic language and visual artistry, Star-Gazing Syndrome invites readers to reflect on the vastness of the universe and their place within it.
Artist: Yaoting Wang
HELLO, MY NAME IS
Zine
...?
Residing in the San Francisco Bay Area, Yang, a painter, writer, and storyteller originally from China, delves into the immigrant experience amidst the heightened political tensions between the US and China.
In her zine titled "Hello my name is Lynn?", she shares a journey of self-discovery, where she wrestles with notions of belonging, cultural heritage, and the ever-evolving nature of identity. Through the story, Yang traverses the linguistic and cultural chasm between her English name and her Chinese name, offering her own reflection on the complexities of personal and cultural identity.
Artist: Yang Hu
Travel zine
Zine
Mexico City
The artist's trip to Mexico City left her captivated by the lively culture and the contrast between the everyday hustle of Mexican life and the grandeur of high-class buildings. Reminded of her hometown Nanjing, she felt a sense of kinship with the city. Inspired by her experiences, she decided to document her feelings and the scenes she encountered.
Artist: Akaa, Published by Now place
A PURRFECT ENDING
Zine
A journey to get back to your loved ones
"A PURRFECT ENDING" chronicles the journey of a soul navigating the afterlife, driven by an unshakeable determination to reunite with their two beloved cats. As they traverse through realms unknown, encountering obstacles and allies along the way, the tale unfolds with heartwarming twists and turns.
Artist: Akaa, Published by Now place
Drifted Echoes
Comic
漂浮的回声
This comic visually captures an intimate journey of self-reflection and identity, exploring the intricate relationships between the artist, her loved one, nature, and her true self. The story evokes a sense of introspection and transformation, where moments of connection blend with the natural world, giving rise to a new self after the passage of love.
Through dreamy illustrations and poetic dialogues, the artist questions whether the experiences are real or imagined, while finding solace in nature's embrace. This journey invites the reader to reflect on the fluidity of identity and the search for wholeness.
Artist: Akaa, Published by Now place
