“Such works of handwork and hybridity remember the body. Heavy on this planet and in this space and moment, the book in hand completing the circle from artist, to press to reader, and completing us in turn”

Butler, Angie

Abstract

In setting phenomenology within the context of art-making it is possible to investigate how we use our minds and bodies through the experience of practice. This discussion considers that contemporary artist-publishing activities that employ the letterpress process, are embedded in how practitioners articulate their bodies and senses to engage with materials, equipment, and presses to develop their work.

The theoretical underpinning of this practice-led research project is discussed in relation to the studio practice and experiences of the letterpress/book arts practitioner. Types of engagement are discussed in terms of specific phenomenological viewpoints: tacit (Polanyi), reflexive (Schön), and praxis (Friere). Methods in learning skills and developing practice are informed by individual and collaborative practice: testing propositions of empathy (as Einfühlung) (Stein), close perception-haptic space (Reigl, Deleuze and Guatarri, Mosely) and handleability, material thinking and bodily knowledge (Heidegger, Bolt, and Ingold).

The understanding of this framework is informed by a Slow theory approach (Fuad-Luke): one that values notions of time and intention. Establishing a network of practitioners interested in letterpress printed artists’ books enabled a community to develop and share their knowledge of practice.UK based practitioners’ reflections and phenomenological perspectives that support haptic practice underpin this conversation.

This research promotes dialogue in letterpress printing and artist publishing practice and can benefit creative practitioners in the approach to a practice of phenomenology.

• Presentation Conference Type: Conference Paper (published)
• Conference Name: The Arlis/ANZ 2020 Conference, eimagining the material: artists books, printed matter, digital transformation, engagement.
• Start Date: Nov 11, 2020
• End Date: Nov 13, 2020
• Acceptance Date: Feb 1, 2021
• Online Publication Date: Apr 30, 2021
• Publication Date: Apr 30, 2021
• Deposit Date: Nov 6, 2024
• Journal: The Blue Notebook
• Electronic ISSN: 1751-1720
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 15
• Issue: 2
• Article Number: 5
• Pages: 43-52
• Series ISSN: 1751-1712
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/13403043
• Publisher URL: https://www.bookarts.uwe.ac.uk/tbn/x1335/42ck/tbn30.pdf
• External URL: https://www.arlisanz.org/presentation-angie-butler