Cyanotype, Generatively. Article #0

Given the optimistic tone of the introduction, the big caveat is that I don't know what's going to happen. As of this writing (August 29, 2022), the fx(text) platform hasn't even been launched yet. We are unclear of the functionality, minting process, integration with fxhash, etc...

My hope is that by collecting these articles, people will have access to editions of the prints made along the way, and possibly related projects that could live on fxhash proper. But seriously, who knows!

What's coming?

Article 1 will look at combining the ideas of generative dice drawings with cyanotype exposures. There are so many terrific examples of generative dice drawing and I think combining this idea with cyanotype prints could make for some really interesting and hopefully beautiful results.

Articles 2 through 4 are planned but fluid. I have several ideas involving using thread, wool, pen-plotters, chalk lines, and vertical spacing but I'm purposefully holding off on defining these too rigidly. I want to allow for the experience of developing prints and writing these articles to inform the subsequent ideas.

What is Cyanotype?

A little bit of background for anyone new to the term and medium of cyanotype prints. Paraphrased from the Cyanotyope Wikipedia entry:

Cyanotype is a photographic printing process discovered in the 1840s by John Herschel. Images are created by exposing a chemical solution on paper to the sun (UVA). Cyanotype prints are characterized by their beautiful rich blue tones. Engineers used the process well into the 20th century as a simple and low-cost process to produce copies of drawings, referred to as blueprints.

Tools and Guides

There are many guides online to help you get started and fortunately the basic materials to make a print are relatively inexpensive when compared to other artistic mediums.

I found the following guide to be quite helpful. Parallax Photographic Coop's "How to make cyanotypes"

Artists and Inspiration

This is a sampling of some of the artwork I have encountered and loved while researching cyanotype artists.

Robin Hill, "Snowflake #10", 2011

Susan Weil, "Sue", ca. 1949

Anna Atkins, "Cyanotypes of British and Foreign Ferns" 1853

Kate Cordsen, "In Place" exhibition at The Florence Griswold Museum, 2016

Thank you and lets go!

First off, thank you to everyone who's reading this. I don't know what this will become but it is always exciting to jump off not knowing where we're going to land. And a big thank you to the fxhash team for creating this platform.

We are all looking forward to seeing how it grows and evolves.