World Cyanotype Day

Saturday September 30th, 2023

In celebration of World Cyanotype Day, the 20/20 Photo Festival is once again planning public cyanotype-making event at Cherry Street Pier on September 30th from 12-5pm.

First discovered in 1842 by Sir John Herschel, the cyanotype process was initially utilized to make blueprints. In 1843, however, Anna Atkins - the first photographer to use the process to create photograms - self-published the book Photographs of British Algae: Cyanotype Impressions, thus placing the process firmly within the realm of photography.  To this day, cyanotype is widely employed in conjunction with botanical specimens, but contemporary artists have also found new and unique applications of the technique. Now you can try your hand at this historic photographic process! We will provide pre-coated cyanotype fabric, and you can bring negatives and other objects to create photograms with or work with items available on-site.

Photo credits: Top, Alexandra Orgera / Bottom, Diana Hamm