“Such works of handwork and hybridity remember the body. Heavy on this planet and in this space and moment, the book in hand completing the circle from artist, to press to reader, and completing us in turn” (Betty Bright)
Dr. Angie Butler (UWE Bristol UK)
Abstract: In setting phenomenology within the context of art-making it is possible to investigate how we use our minds and bodies through the experience of practice. This discussion considers that contemporary artist-publishing activities that employ the letterpress process, are embedded in how practitioners articulate their bodies and senses to engage with materials, equipment, and presses to develop their work.
The theoretical underpinning of this practice-led research project is discussed in relation to the studio practice and experiences of the letterpress/book arts practitioner. Types of engagement are discussed in terms of specific phenomenological viewpoints: tacit (Polanyi), reflexive (Schön), and praxis (Friere). Methods in learning skills and developing practice are informed by individual and collaborative practice: testing propositions of empathy (as Einfühlung) (Stein), close perception-haptic space (Reigl, Deleuze and Guatarri, Mosely) and handleability, material thinking and bodily knowledge (Heidegger, Bolt, and Ingold).
The understanding of this framework is informed by a Slow theory approach (Fuad-Luke): one that values notions of time and intention. Establishing a network of practitioners interested in letterpress printed artists’ books enabled a community to develop and share their knowledge of practice.UK based practitioners’ reflections and phenomenological perspectives that support haptic practice underpin this conversation.
This research promotes dialogue in letterpress printing and artist publishing practice and can benefit creative practitioners in the approach to a practice of phenomenology.
The video “Such works of handwork and hybridity remember the body. Heavy on this planet and in this space and moment, the book in hand completing the circle from artist, to press to reader, and completing us in turn” (Betty Bright) by Angie Butler is licensed under CC BY 4.0
About: Dr Angie Butler is an artist and practice-led scholar with a particular interest in narrative research, cultural discourse in print, artist-publishing and practitioners’ experiences of working in their studios and spaces. Angie is a Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Fine Print Research (CFPR) at the University of the West of England Bristol, UK.
She is a regular contributor to UK and international journals and periodicals and has presented at numerous national and international conferences. Angie utilises the letterpress process and the book as collaborative spaces– to connect people and language through a haptic environment.
Her artworks feature in international publications and are held in permanent collections including Tate London UK, and the Centre for British Art at Yale University, USA.