[Baren]: The mailing list / discussion forum for woodblock printmaking. Baren Digest Saturday, 2 October 1999 Volume 09 : Number 726 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Julio.Rodriguez@walgreens.com Date: Fri, 1 Oct 1999 11:15:56 -0500 Subject: [Baren 6051] re: next weeks' events Hi Judy, April, Matt , Dave and all the other Bareners attending next week's festivities in NY & NH.......would it be possible besides taking photos of the opening ceremonies to also perhaps take a little video......perhaps showing the place, the prints and of course fellow Bareners at the show.......I think it would be a terrific way for Baren to continue to grow. Sort of a documentary on Baren with perhaps short interviews with the participants and also with audiences response to the show. Dave are you planning on dropping in to the Manhattan show? I would be happy to send you money for your expenses regarding any videos.....any volunteers ? Thanks......Julio ------------------------------ From: John Ryrie Date: Sat, 02 Oct 1999 02:22:11 +1000 Subject: [Baren 6052] Re: my 2 bob's worth I just thought that it was time for me to put down my thoughts regarding the book illustration debate. I sent off art work for this and I would like my prints to be shown in such a book. My motivation is not for the exposure, a how to book on woodcut printing is hardly going to be the first point of recreance for a print collector or curator. It is instead a book that will be of interest to someone with a newly found interest in woodcut, a person not unlike meany members of this forum. It may be true that the publisher is trying to rip us off, in fact I have no illusions that this is the case, but I also think that you are only a victim if you think you are. The publisher is no different than my bank manager or most of the Gallery directors that I have been associated with. I tend to think instead of the author of such a work I believe that their intentions are good, if they had been in it only for the money then they would have picked a different subject for their book. For many years now I have been doing artwork for jazz musicians, CD covers, posters and stage backdrops. Also posters for the theater and a small local film festival. I did these things free in the first couple of years because I was enthusiastic about the work these friends were doing as the film festival has grown they have been able to increased the money for me and the jazz musicians the same though the most I have got for a CD cover is $50 It is more than any of the musicians made from it and I never have to pay to go to a concert. These enterprises have not got me much factual reward but I have a lot of satisfaction from doing this type of work. I think that this book project has some similarity to what I have been saying. I wish to be in this book because it promotes something that I strongly belive in, the value of this art form. I to have illustrated children books and been paid handsomely for it. but for me financial reword is not the only reason that I do my work. For is it not written that it is easier for a needle to pass through the eye of a rich man that for a camel to enter into the kingdom of God'. ------------------------------ From: Julio.Rodriguez@walgreens.com Date: Fri, 1 Oct 1999 17:48:27 -0500 Subject: [Baren 6056] re: Ken Tyler I have been reading a book; "Ken Tyler - Master Printer" that has hit home for me on several topics covered here at Baren. Mr. Tyler having learned his trade at the Tamarind studios (60's) and later establishing his own printshops (Gemini G.E.L and Tyler Graphics ,70's) seems to have been a major impact on the american print scene and on the development of the many artists he printed for during the last decades. I guess this leads me to a comparison of Mr. Tyler's life's work and the japanese division of labor so discussed here in previous postings. For it is obvious that Tyler's close relationship with his artists had a great deal to do with the final print. Is he considered merely a craftman ? A printer ? Or is the word "artist" more appropriate for someone who plays such an important role on the making of a print? Is anyone familiar with Ken Tyler's work ? Julio []----8-----[] ------------------------------ From: David Bull Date: Sat, 02 Oct 1999 08:47:21 +0900 Subject: [Baren 6057] Re: next weeks' events Julio > Dave are you planning on dropping in to the Manhattan show? No I'm sorry, Sadako and I are flying in to Boston, then heading _north_ from there ... The initial impulse for the trip was to visit the incredible Japanese print collection at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. For over a year now, I've been trying to get permission from them to use one of their prints in my surimono series, and although their _photographic_ department long ago said 'OK', the people in the Asian collection remained totally silent, neither giving the required approval, nor witholding it. I got nothing but silence from them for over a year. Recently I've been pushing for a reply, and then decided to go over there and see them face-to-face, so made a formal request to visit the collection, and then booked plane tickets. A fax (finally!) came from them last week: "It is impossible for us to accommodate visitors/scholars at this time." Compared to the welcome I got from the English museums, who bent over backwards to be helpful and cooperative, this leaves me feeling so disgusted with these people that I don't want to have _anything_ to do with them from now on, and indeed I'm not even going to bother visiting the museum itself when I'm in Boston next week. What I _will_ do though, is spend some time with Matt, getting to know a bit more about him and his family, and will spend the rest of the trip simply sightseeing in 'maple country' with Sadako, before coming back to Tokyo on the 16th. *** Julio also asked about making [Baren] videos ... This _is_ an interesting idea, but at the moment, I don't have the capability to edit video on my Mac to create something for the website. The good news is that my provider over there in Pittsburgh (where woodblock.com is located) has recently increased disc allowances, and there _is_ room on woodblock.com for such videos whenever I can get to that point. I have to add though, that because of my own aversion to video (I own no TV), it's not something that's near the top of my list! *** And now for something a bit different ... Many of you have read Frank Morley-Fletcher's 1916 book on printmaking that we have in the Library in the Encyclopedia ... Here's an email I got the other day: > I'm so happy to see my great-uncle Frank's book on woodblock printing > available on the internet. > > He died long before I was born, but one of my uncles who was living in > California at the time cared for him in his old age and has many fond > stories of him. Frank Morley-Fletcher was a distinguished artist and > teacher in his day, but he died destitute and few people today have > heard of him. > > Alan Best I of course replied immediately, and Alan gave me a phone number for his uncle and suggested I call him up. I did so this morning, and explained to him that I'd like to hear some of his reminiscences of Frank. He said that he had lots to tell me, but that he was just on his way out the door ... We've arranged that I should call him again tomorrow. I'll let you know what turns up! Note for Graham: this man (Norman Frank Best) lives over on Saltspring, just a few minutes from your place. Might be worth a visit ... Ain't this Internet thingy a kick! Dave ------------------------------ From: "Philip Smith" Date: Fri, 1 Oct 1999 16:57:19 -0700 Subject: [Baren 6058] Re: Ken Tyler Julio,...I looked up Ken Tyler in a book called "Innovative Printmaking",..mostly photos of him working, about 4 or 5..over a light table, mixing inks and actually printing,..it's a general book,...with alot of other people in it,....the book is by Dr. Thelma R. Newman lots of info,....his work looks very contempory,...little to do with woodcuts however,........Hows the new press???? Philip ------------------------------ From: Barbara Mason Date: Fri, 01 Oct 1999 17:11:12 -0700 Subject: [Baren 6059] Museums... Dave, I cannot believe that the museum in Boston is so stuffy! They come by their reputation honestly, don't they? What an opportunity they have missed not getting to meet you! If you ever decide to come to Portland, I can promise you a great welcome and a real good look at any of the prints in the collection. We have quite a good collection of Asian Prints, is there anything special you are looking for? I will go and see anything you need for you and probably can get a photo as I know so many people at the Museum. We wish we were all going to Boston, but will have to hear about your trip vicariously. Barbara ------------------------------ From: "Philip Smith" Date: Fri, 1 Oct 1999 17:29:55 -0700 Subject: [Baren 6060] Re: next weeks' events Dave,..have you approached the people in Boston with the thought that this would be a super-press release and windfall for them if this work were published on the on line magazine "Baren"??...with addition that, "through the generosity of the Boston M..........." Good PR I think!!...Have a nice trip!!! Philip ------------------------------ From: "Bea Gold" Date: Fri, 1 Oct 1999 17:57:15 -0700 Subject: [Baren 6061] Re: next weeks' events Dave, I'm really sorry about the Boston Fine Arts Museum - we went there on the way home from the Horizons experience and the Asian collection is wonderful - but the museum was crazy crowed - if I compare meeting Matt to going to the museum I'd choose Matt anytime! Enjoy the fall colors and Matt and his family. Bea ------------------------------ From: Gregory Robison Date: Sat, 02 Oct 1999 07:00:20 +0300 Subject: [Baren 6063] October in Seattle Kampala, 2 October 1999 Dear friends: I'm spending the next four weeks in Seattle, and hope to see a few printmakers while I'm in town. I am therefore unsubscribing from this local server and will sign back on on Tuesday in the US. Incidentally, I would be happy to see any Baren members who may be passing through the rift valley (you know, during your annual migration or whatever). Give me a little advanced warning and I can put you in the guest room adjoining the studio, where you can print in your bare feet in January... Mary Krieger, Michelle Morrel and other ice-bound printmakers...call your travel agent! Yours, Greg ------------------------------ From: David Bull Date: Sat, 02 Oct 1999 13:03:50 +0900 Subject: [Baren 6064] Re: Museums... Barbara wrote: > I cannot believe that the museum in Boston is so stuffy! I have mixed feelings about it. It's not correct to get particularly upset with them, as they _are_ apparently extremely busy, and I don't expect any special treatment ... I'm more personally annoyed by their refusal to make a decision on my reproducing one of 'their' prints in my series. Over one year, and still no answer? That's the kind of indecision that I would expect from bureaucrats in _this_ country. > is there anything special you are looking for? This is part of the 'problem' with me, from these museum peoples' point of view (I'm having similar troubles with institutions here in Japan, too). I don't _know_ what I'm looking for. These places are used to scholars coming in who are doing research on some very detailed part of the field - in my case, I simply want to get familiar with their collections (almost none of which have been published), dig out a few of the unknown 'treasures', arrange for photography and reproduction rights, and then make them part of my series. I have to add too that they are perhaps somewhat nervous about the fact that I am ... how shall we say this? ... copying? ... reproducing? ... 'counterfeiting'? ... the prints. It's not what they're used to, and as a consequence, they don't know what to do with me. So my letters just sit there on their desks .... *** Bea wrote: > if I compare meeting Matt to > going to the museum I'd choose Matt anytime! Yes, me too! So no complaints - I'm going to get my choice! *** A number of you have written me about the nuclear accident not too far from where I live ... It seems that the chain reaction has been suppressed and the worst is over. There have been no direct consequences for me, as it's a bit too far away, and the winds don't cause any threat. But there may indeed be consequences for printmakers next year. At the moment, all agricultural production in that area has of course come to a complete freeze. And it just so happens that one of Japan's major 'kozo' (paper mulberry) production areas is ... guess where? Whether or not 'kozo' will be harmed by the fallout, I of course have no idea. (Harvest time is January) We don't eat it, so perhaps it won't be a problem. But I rather doubt that my collectors would expect to see their prints glowing in the dark! Not to worry though, if the local crop gets trashed, papermakers here have a second source of supply for 'kozo'. Where? Taiwan! Oops! Dave ------------------------------ From: Jack Reisland Date: Fri, 01 Oct 1999 18:55:03 -1000 Subject: [Baren 6066] Re: Museums... > Whether or not 'kozo' will be harmed by the fallout, I of course have no > idea. This may turn out to be a boon! Maybe irradiated 'kozo' will be free from mold growth during printing, and foxing in collections! Jack ------------------------------ From: "Jeanne N. Chase" Date: Sat, 2 Oct 1999 02:03:18 -0400 Subject: [Baren 6067] Safe and Sound Dear Dave So glad that the nuclear incident was away from your home. As for the Boston Museum, in spite of their Boston uppidiness, I think the Asian collection is such a treat I would not deny myself the visual pleasure!!!! It is wonderful that you are going to visit Matt Brown and do some sight seeing. Have a wonderful trip!!! i rather like the idea of someone's, a print that glows in the dark! Jeanne ------------------------------ From: severn@acay.com.au Date: Sat, 02 Oct 1999 16:36:17 +1000 Subject: [Baren 6068] Hello from a new subscriber Hi there (-: It's certainly not barren at baren! This is the third list I've joined and it seems the most fruitful. Is it always that busy or did I just pick the right day to join? I dont know if I was more astounded at David's work or at the website. I am building mine at the moment (when I'm not reading mail) and what I thought was looking ambitious is paling in comparison. I don't know how he finds the time. I am an Australian printmaker who is really just setting up the studio. You know how it is, buying things as the money comes available. I recently won a prize for a woodblock and earmarked the cash towards a press. Then the gods must have been watching and a friend put me on to a friend and I bought his old press for a song. Yet to be delivered I might add. Its a cast iron mangle (exterior gears) with wooden rollers mounted onto an old kitchen table. The press table is a piece of perspex with an indent in it where the plate drops in. This rolls back and forth across the table by pressure from the rollers. There are wooden cottonwheel guides nailed to the table. He built it himself from a diagram in a book. I cant wait to try it. I found Baren while searching for sites relating to printmaking and papermaking as I want to add a comprehensive links page about printmaking to my website. There does not seem to be such a list relevent to Australia that I have found so far, they all have other stuff too or they only have some sites.... So, if you can recommend a site please let me know, overseas sites are ok too, I've put Baren on the list. Thanks for the entertainment today. Personally I thought Bostonians had a reputation for being "stuffy" or is that just a stereotype? Anyway such treatment is plain bad manners isnt it? That's probably enough from me today. Best wishes Josephine ------------------------------ End of Baren Digest V9 #726 ***************************