Laser cutting for letterpress printing: new uses of materials and techniques.

The research into the limitations in the use of the physical medium of letterpress printing details the advantages of how initially working with computerized type layout onscreen can then be transformed to physical printable artworks and blocks, and how materials and methods used with laser cutting has further been used to produce new laser cut acrylic sheet patterns for pantograph traceable routing machinery for traditional wood type production and metal type production by substituting the ‘copper electro deposition process’. An obsolete process, which the museum based Monotype Limited Company in London, England can no longer undertake. The advantage of being able to duplicate rare metal punches is also discussed. The laser cut letterpress further lent itself to the Orwellian overtones that pervaded the House of Flora collaboration, which was heavily influenced by the bleak cityscapes of 1980’s Berlin. The super-chic tailoring was balanced with whimsical fixtures such as laser cut printable sloganeering on accessories within the collection. Medals emblazoned with the slogan ‘Organize, Educate, Agitate’ proclaimed a new era of intellectual fashion. The collection is a reflection of the current climate of instability and fear, of storm clouds brewing. These are clothes for survival, to march in, for revolution.

Originally presented at The 6th International Conference on Technology and Society, held in the Free University, Berlin on 15th-17th January 2010.