Puss (magazine)

Puss was launched by a group of Swedish artists led by Lars Hillersberg in Stockholm in January 1968.[1] The magazine adopted a critical approach towards politicians and opinion leaders and condemned the US interventions in Vietnam and the Swedish police.[1] It also involved in the emerging feminist discussions in Sweden.[1] Major contributors were Lars Norén,[2] Marie-Louise Ekman, Carl Johan De Geer, Lars Forssell, and Öyvind Fahlström.[1] The issues 1 through 21 were published in A4 format.[3] The remaining issues came out in tabloid format.[3] The frequency of Puss was regular in the early years, but became irregular later.[3] The magazine had 24 pages throughout its lifetime.[3] The editor of the magazine frequently changed and included the following: Lars Hillersberg, Åke Holmqvist, Karin Frostensson, Carl Johan De Geer, Leif Katz, Karl Erik Liljeros, Ulf Rahmberg, Lena Svedberg and Christer Themptander.[2] The magazine sold nearly 10,000 copies.[3]

The magazine frequently employed the political satire containing a covert and aesthetic critique.[2] In the third issue Puss published a photo collage made by Lars Hillersberg featuring a naked man wearing a mask of the People's Party leader Sven Wedén.[1][3] Following its publication the issue was confiscated by the Swedish authorities,[4] and it became a subject of criticisms by mainstream publications such as Aftonbladet and Svenska Dagbladet.[1] Right-wing leader Gösta Bohman also attacked the magazine describing it as a "disgusting" publication.[3] Puss folded in Autumn 1974 after producing a total of 24 issues.[3][2]