BROADSHEET! Sensations of the City in Print

This Special Weekend Intensive Meets Saturday 2/7 and Sunday 2/8 from 10:00 – 4:00pm. Coffee and snacks are provides. Students may bring a packed lunch.  

BACKGROUND:
Jose Guadalupe Posada (1852 – 1913) was a popular illustrator-printmaker who lived and worked in Mexico City, observing the city from the window of his street corner printing studio. He inhaled and exhaled the very essence of the city as he produced broadsides and periodicals circulated in the streets. His images, usually accompanied by a generous amount of text, reflected the conditions of Mexico City— a milieu marked equally by sudden eruptions of violence and celebration; where murder was a daily occurrence despite all manner of political and religious entreaties; a place of vitality both self-destructive and yet regenerative.

WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION:
In this two-session course, we will develop prints that incorporate linoleum carving and large handset type. Inspired by the work of Mexican artist Jose Guadalupe Posada, we will examine his broadsheets and then utilize the subject matter of current Chicago-based news stories to develop our own prints. The resulting broadsheet will be composed of a carved linoleum block relief image, based upon items culled from the day’s newspapers, accompanied by a bold headline created from hand set type inspired by sensational headlines. Participants will carve and print their linoleum blocks, and learn to set and print type.

This workshop coincides with an exhibition to be held at Spudnik Press Cooperative, CHASING POSADA! A Macabre Populist in the City.