Connecting and developing printing heritage: The Nordic letterpress network

Butler, Angie; Maufe, Imi

Abstract

We wish to showcase how a hands-on craft has relevance and capacity within the Nordic regions, and in doing so: to discover what role a heritage process and facilities can play in our contemporary culture and connect its existing communities of practice. Our presentation will introduce the Nordic Letterpress Network, established in 2022, and discuss why its formation was necessary with research that evidences the position of letterpress printing and its active heritage today. Then show the network’s activities to promote and preserve letterpress printing in the Nordic countries: the group, who are based internationally, have met in-person in Sweden (2022) and in Finland (2023) at letterpress print studios (GG Print Studio, Uttersberg, and Bland Type öch Tryk, Jackobstad) and are meeting later this year in Denmark at Vingaards Officins, Viborg. Through short residencies with public events and long-term collaboration,
the aims of the group are to: to facilitate connections and knowledge exchange between independent and institution-based artists, printers, designers and members of the public. To build an understanding of the letterpress process, sharing best practice, ideas, and working towards a more sustainable, innovative and culturally successful discipline. To identify the use of letterpress in the Nordic Countries and create a freely accessible online resource –
listing letterpress practitioners, studios, print workshops and resources.

• Presentation Conference Type: Conference Paper (unpublished)
• Conference Name: International Conference Heritage in the Service of Resilient Communities
• Start Date: Oct 1, 2024
• End Date: Oct 2, 2024
• Deposit Date: Nov 11, 2024
• Peer Reviewed: Not Peer Reviewed
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/13404687
• Additional Information: The main theme of discussions and presentations revolves around how the values, knowledge, and skills embedded in cultural heritage enrich the contemporary living environment and help find sustainable solutions to social, economic, and ecological problems.
• External URL: https://sisu.ut.ee/parandusfestival2024/conference/?lang=en