Teken Or Leave It: Collective Cyanotype

About Cyanotype

Cyanotype is an early, camera-less photographic process that creates monochromatic white-and-blue prints by exposing a surface coated with light sensitive solution to UV
light. Cyanotypes where initially used to create blueprints for architectural designs. But as an art form it became most famous through the plant prints of Anna Atkins.
Printing plants is still something that is often done with cyanotype. That’s why we’ll be working with plants and weeds from the Nieuwe Vide area, among other things. There’s
also room for your own materials! Think of: (digital) negatives, drawings and text on sheet, objects from the Vide, symbols/posters/texts, artworks, cut-out paper, stencils
and all other things that let light through or have an interesting shape. Think about what you associate with Nieuwe Vide and what you would like to contribute to the
composition. Think of a tapestry with “Vide Icons”. What images or objects should really be included? (Soup, tools, art supplies, Roest, images from the Kraak archive, old
posters, new photos, junk, (your)art, images from the building, a warm sweater…??) It is possible to send in images in advance. During the workshop there will be the
opportunity to work on drawings and shapes. If you draw on a clear see through sheet you can also prepare that in advance.

Keep in mind: We will be washing the prints outside, it can be cold and the solution can
stain on your clothing.

Call for Materials and Contributions for the Collective Cyanotype

During this workshop, we will work together on a large blue-and-white artwork on fabric: a collective cyanotype that will remain at Nieuwe Vide. Cyanotype is an early photographic process in which you print silhouettes or transparent images using UV light.

In honor of the 30th anniversary—and to capture the character and history of Nieuwe Vide—we will create a composition of various objects and shapes that tell something about the Vide and your experience of this place. Which iconic image or object should not be missing? Even if you cannot attend the workshop in person, you can contribute something in advance that we can use for printing!

What can you contribute for printing?
Anything that has an interesting shape or lets light through (even partially). Examples include:

• • (Digital) negatives of photos (digital photos can be submitted here; these will be turned into usable negatives)
  • Drawings or text on transparent plastic sheets (you can pick up a transparent sheet in the volunteer room; note that very thin lines may fade)
  • Objects with a distinct silhouette
  • Materials such as cut paper, stencils, plastic, or glass

• Things you associate with Nieuwe Vide: a warm sweater, tools, art supplies, junk, soup ingredients, old posters or flyers (or new ones), symbols/stickers/pamphlets, photos of the building, your artwork, images from the Kraak archive, etc.!

Useful to know

• We make contact prints: where NO light reaches, it stays white; where light DOES reach, it turns blue.
• Fully opaque objects will create only a silhouette. Transparent materials allow for more detail and varying shades of blue.
• The print is not mirrored, but works like a negative: dark becomes light, and vice versa.
• For questions, you can contact Eva. Objects can be dropped off here, and digital contributions submitted here.

Extra informatie

Remember the following when choosing the materials you want to print: We make contact prints, which means you make a print by placing an object or photo sheet directly on the surface. Where NO light comes, the fabric remains white; where light DOES come, the print turns blue. If you place something on the fabric that allows light to pass through, such as a photo sheet, something with holes, porous material, plastic/glass, etc., you’ll get a detailed print with various shades of blue. If you place something on the fabric that doesn’t let through any light at all, you’ll only see the outline. The print isn’t mirrored, but it is an “inverted image,” so what’s dark becomes light and vice versa. Therefore, you can also use text or draw on a transparent sheet and print the design without mirroring. Very fine lines can become blurred, however.