Visceral language: A phenomenological approach to contemporary letterpress-printed artist’s book practice in the UK

Butler, Angie

Abstract

The decline of commercial letterpress printing and technological advances in industry were major influential factors with respect to the establishment of independent small presses in the United Kingdom (UK). Although unlike work from commercial, private or fine press printers, utilisation of the letterpress process embedded a phenomenological approach to artist-led publishing where physicality and experience of using the letterpress process was reflected within the practice of making artists’ books and printed matter. Major concepts and inclusion of tools, equipment, technologies and studio methods used in historical small publishing practice can be considered in relation to today’s practitioners making letterpress-printed artists’ books to understand how skills are learnt and developed to support the evolution of a reflexive approach within contemporary practice.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Nov 11, 2019
• Online Publication Date: Nov 15, 2019
• Publication Date: Nov 15, 2019
• Deposit Date: Apr 24, 2020
• Publicly Available Date: Apr 28, 2020
• Journal: Arts
• Publisher: MDPI
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 8
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 151
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/arts8040151
• Keywords: letterpress; printing; artists’ books; haptic; phenomenology; bodily knowledge
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/5926794
• Publisher URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0752/8/4/151