Printmaking
“How do you calculate upon the unforeseen? It seems to be an art of recognizing the role of the unforeseen, of keeping your balance amid surprises, of collaborating with chance, of recognizing that there are some essential mysteries in the world and thereby a limit to calculation, to plan, to control. To calculate on the unforeseen is perhaps exactly the paradoxical operation that life most requires of us.”
— Rebecca Solnit
The printmaking program's function is to teach students about the numerous possibilities associated with print media and production of multiple like images, or editions, while developing personal concepts and overall artistic strength. The program also presents a brief introduction to the history of the print processes and the artists involved.
Prints are made from a variety of materials including:
Printmaking 2 through 3 are taught concurrently and deal in depth with the process presented in Printmaking I. Students are required to submit two portfolios of work. The course alternates between works concentrating on color screen and color relief processes to a course concentrating on color lithographic and color intaglio techniques. A larger scale exploration of these media are explored within these two courses. Two tests are given covering terminology, image identification, and new processes or historical information presented. Printmaking 4 - Special Problems are taught concurrently. Normally, one or two new process or conceptual problems are presented to the Advanced Printmaking course each semester. These have included; chine colle, acetate intaglio, photo etching with photopolymer films and plates, photo positive and negative lithographic plates, paper plate lithography, print installation proposals, collagraphs, monoprints, monotypes, wood intaglio, papermaking, basic black and white photo problems, laser cut matrices and cyanotype. The advanced program also supports and encourages the exploration of non-traditional and three-dimensional prints, the use and combination of digital processes, and the combination of print with other media. Advanced printmakers are given two tests per semester on contemporary or historical images and/or readings. Advanced students and faculty have participated in suite prints exchanges with printmakers from other universities and oftentimes organize exhibitions of student prints at one of the two campus galleries. Graduate Printmakers begin each semester with a statement of intent and artistic philosophy which is discussed with the instructor and an appropriate course of study outlined. Four to five critiques are scheduled per semester. Graduates are encouraged to participate in all undergraduate Advanced Printmaking critiques and demonstrations. |
PRINTMAKING FACILITIES
The combined printmaking spaces are well-equipped and spacious, in excess of 3400 square feet. The relief/intaglio/screen studios includes two Brand presses press (36" x 60" and 30" x 50") and a Takach etching press (33” x 60”), an acid room with two 22” x 30” acidvats and rosin box for aquatints along with a photoprocess room for litho plates along with screens, relief and intaglio photopolymer plates. A 24” x 36” electric hotplate is available for intaglio. An AmerGraph exposure unit is used to expose plates and screens up to 31” x 41”. The serigraphy area provides access to two Blackline backlit washout sinks and two industrial pressure washers for screens up to 31” x 41”. The print studios have their own darkroom with enlarger access and a digital imaging room equipped with I-Macs, two laserprinters and two flatbed scanners. A Vandercook SP15 letterpress, type and furniture is available for those interested in the traditional book arts and the printing of small relief prints. The lithography studio has two Brand and one Takach press and is equipped for both stone and aluminum plate (both waterless and gumbased) lithography with three aluminum printing bases, two for 24” x 36” plates and one for plates up to 36” x 48”. Over thirty lithography stones are available with sizes up to 16"x 22”. A drymount press is available for flattening prints up to 22” x 30” and a laser cutter is available within the adjacent woodshop to image intaglio, relief and waterless litho plates. To schedule a tour of the facilities contact Kim Bauer at kbauer@utep.edu. |