Saturday September 30, 2023

Cyanotype-making with The Halide Project (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. (Generously sponsored by Jacquard.)

Chlorophyll Printing Demo with Laurie Beck Peterson (12-2)

Chlorophyll printing is an alternative photographic process where photographic images are developed on natural leaves through the action of photosynthesis. This organic technique does not use chemicals since the photographs are exposed directly to the sunlight on plants or trees leaves. The concept of Chlorophyll printing has been around since the 1700’s but it was popularized by the artist Binh Dahn around 2006 with his project “Ancestral Altars”. Stop by to see a step by step demonstration on how the process works and get a glimpse of finished chlorophyll prints.

Pinhole demo with Vallyn Murphy (2 - 4pm)

Swing by the Pinhole photography demo and experience the magic of creating Pinhole photographs! Pinhole cameras are the easiest way to make photographs and are based on the idea of a camera obscura; a naturally occurring optical phenomenon that happens when a small hole is made in a dark room or a light-tight box. An image of the outside world is projected through the hole onto the back of the room or box, inverted and back to front, creating dreamy and surreal images. No photography experience is needed to participate. Once you grasp the basic principles, it offers limitless possibilities. Come on by for a better understanding of pinhole photography and alternative processes, and feel free to bring a container from home. Coffee cans, oatmeal and Pringle containers, small shoeboxes, and Altoid tins or similar will work well.

Caffenol Printing demo with Kara Khan (4 - 5pm)

Gardens have been used throughout human history not only for sustenance, but also to foster community, grow medicine, process grief and enhance the quality of life for humans and the rest of nature. They are symbols of resilience and generosity. It is in this spirit we present “Abortion Garden: A Caffenol Demo.”

Join us as we take a little trip through abortion history (a history that is at least 5,000 years old!) using plants and image making as our guide. You will learn how to make your own caffenol developer, expose photograms, and develop your print using inexpensive, easy to find materials that you may already have at home! All plant matter will be provided and a brief history of each plant's relationship to abortion history will be provided. Each participant will come away with a broader understanding of photographic processes, a deeper connection to the plants you interact with everyday, and a better understanding of human's long and varied history with abortion.