Baren Digest             Wednesday, 15 January 2003     Volume 22 : Number 2094


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From: ArtfulCarol#aol.com
Date: Tue, 14 Jan 2003 11:39:38 EST
Subject: [Baren 20418] Re: More on Woodpeople..... 



> http://www.suezan-aikins.com/relief.html


My eyes are popping

My jaw is dropping!

Thank  you Julio finding for the Website above!

CaroL Lyons



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From: slinders#attbi.com
Date: Tue, 14 Jan 2003 11:09:42 -0600
Subject: [Baren 20419] Chicago Print Exhibits 

It's a great time of the year to visit Chicago!  There are hotel
specials and many wonderful activities, including these
Printmaking Special Events.
(Pay no attention to the 10' weather...these are all indoors!)
Best wishes!
Sharen

Block Museum/Northwestern University-
<http://www.blockmuseum.northwestern.edu/index_noflash.html>

"Stamp of Impulse: Abstract Expressionist Prints" 
        January 17 - March 16, 2003

This is the first comprehensive exhibition examining the impact
of Abstract Expressionism on the graphic arts in America. Stamp
of Impulse will feature 100 prints made between 1942 and 1975,
including works by
masters of the New York School and the Bay Area Abstract
Expressionists.
This exhibition will provide an unprecedented overview of the
graphic arts during this dynamic period.

Max Beckmann Self-Portraits (Prints)
Print, Drawing, and Photography Study Center
        January 17 - March 16, 2003
______________________________

Smart Museum/University of Chicago
<http://smartmuseum.uchicago.edu/exhibitions/future/>  
"Reflections of Beauty: Late Nineteenth-Century Japanese Prints
in the Smart Museum Collection"
        December 21, 2002 - March 30, 2003

The widespread societal transformation, engendered by Japan's
new openness to the outside world during the 19th century,
greatly impacted the print culture known as Ukiyo-e that
flourished in the theater and courtesan quarters of Edo (modern
Tokyo). The three artists featured in this exhibition-Kunisada
(1786-1865), Kunichika (1835-1900), and Chikenobu
(1838-1912)-represent a line of teacher-student succession that
reacted differently to these
changes: from initial fascination to eventual nostalgia. The
lavishly printed bijinga or "beautiful women" prints and related
theatrical woodblocks in this exhibition not only capture the
ideal of fleeting beauty so highly esteemed by male audiences at
the time, but also more broadly reflect longing for a quickly
vanishing traditional
culture due to the rapid, often disorienting tempo of Japan's
modernization.

"Symbol and Substance", Japanese lacquer boxes 
___________________________________
Columbia College, Chicago
<http://www.colum.edu/centers/bpa/exhibitions.html>  
 "Inland Printers: The Fine-Press Movement in Chicago,
           1920-1945"

_____
Carl Hammer Gallery, 740 N. Wells

"Autumn Etchings", Tony Fitzpatrick, closes Feb. 8
____________

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From: barebonesart <barebonesart#attbi.com>
Date: Tue, 14 Jan 2003 10:34:37 -0800
Subject: [Baren 20420] Re: Baren Digest V22 #2093 

Tyrus, your comment about the sublime is so apropros.  It is a difficult
concept to get across though, until you get to the romantics - then it seems
to sink in.

Julio, 
The "holy trinity" I was referring to are John, Dave and the paper maker.
Oooh, the pity, but the papermaker is so seldom remembered, and where would
we be without her/him/them??
One could even say they are the basis of our medium - I think I'd better get
out of here before the stones start to fly,  ;-)

Thanks for the lesson on the sound of a tree falling. About half way through
it I was thinking this person should be writing for The Capitol Steps - and
then I got to the disclaimer.  Thanks for a very deep belly laugh, which can
only be heard, of course, by the human ear which contains particular minute
hairs and membranes, visible only under laser light,  expressly for this
purpose.  It has been noted by notable physicists and scientists, and some
medical doctors, that this system is pecular to homosapiens, and homo saps,
only. . . . . . . .

Back to cutting that wood, fallen or not,
Cheers,
Sharri



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From: "carolwagner" <carolwagner#softcom.net>
Date: Tue, 14 Jan 2003 11:35:25 -0800
Subject: [Baren 20421] Early Buddhist woodcuts 

   < I believe the first eastern woodcuts were also made as praying devices,
they
were a way to repeat Buddhist prayers and sutras. Does anyone know more
about this? the connection between early sacred ritual and woodcut?

April>

April, yes, early eastern woodcuts were the means for propagating Buddhism.
The very first book printed was the "Diamond Sutra", the earliest dated
known block print found at the site of Tun -huang, which was a very
important Buddhist colony on the great "Silk Road". There is an illustration
from the Peking recut (1960) in Fritz Eichenbergs "The Art Of the Print"
(Abrams, 1976 ,second printing). Also, the Empress, Suiko, who was regent
for her nephew, was an early patroness of Buddhism in Japan and had printed
a "million Buddhist charms", believed to be the largest edition of woodblock
prints ever done! It was the Chinese who started all of this. they had an
affinity for writing things  down with the brush, and while I have no
confirmation of this, it is my deduction that they chose the woodcut over
the metal type (which they actually experimented with!) because the
'character' of the brush could actually be better represented in the
woodcut...but this is mere speculation on my part, after looking at a number
of examples of early Chinese writing . History  does record that the Chinese
made a choice not to pursue technology as far as the "western Barbarians"
did.  In Tibet. Nepal, and the neighboring Himalayan kingdoms, at least up
until recently when the Chinese  government invaded, it was the custom to
bring your own paper to the Monastery and print out your sacred books from
the blocks that were kept there. Ties between the sacred character of
woodcut (at least in Japan) were severed with the rise of the merchant class
in Edo, who choose the subject matter of the pleasures of this life as
subject matter, rather than the glories of lives to come. I have found no
overall in-depth history of eastern woodcuts (at least in English) in print.
There is much on Chinese painting (Osvald Siren devoted 6 volumes to the
subject), but no mention of woodcut, and Ernest Fenelllosa,in his "Epochs Of
Chinese And Japanese Art" discusses only painting and sculpture. Thus most
of what is known of the connection between woodcut and early sacred ritual
can only be found in scattered sources of Buddhist writings -most of them
not in English, and far too few of them surviving the destruction of many
Monasteries in Communist held/invaded territory. I would be pleased as punch
if somebody would prove otherwise! Any takers?

Carol in Sacramento






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From: Cucamongie#aol.com
Date: Tue, 14 Jan 2003 19:35:16 -0500
Subject: [Baren 20422] press for someone in SF bay area 


hi all, this was posted to another list, in case anyone's interested - 
if you are, write back the person on the forwarded email, not back to me.
best,
Sarah



If anyone has suggestions for listing this press in the Bay area I would appreciate it. 
Thanks. Torrie

A beautiful Takach Etching Press for sale. Large 42inch pressbed-variable sp
eed electric. With blankets, stainless platebed(for monotypes and lithoplate
s) and big roller. Press is in great condition - used in professional shop.
  To read about specifics and see a photo from the Takach company where it w
as made:   http:www.takachpress.com/etchmotor/index.htm  -it's Item # 1814484
This press is combination adaptable so you could later add the litho head fr
om Takach. They are a great company who supply presses, rollers etc.
Press with accessories: $9,500.
torrie#torriegroening.
The press is now in San Francisco




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End of Baren Digest V22 #2094
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