Matéria de poesia: o pensamento impresso nos livros de artista

Abstract

A set of books belonging to the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais Artist Book Collection served as a starting point for this reflection on printing techniques. The books were exhibited in 2019 at the Matéria de Poesia exhibit, made up of 34 books printed using 12 different techniques, including artisanal and industrial processes; traditional techniques that are still in use, such as stencil, or obsolete, such as typography. Most of the books presented here are like a commentary on the technical possibilities of the chosen printing method. We seek to demonstrate how specialised knowledge and access to means of production are two important aspects of the artistic work, even in more conceptual books. The concepts used in printmaking studies were adapted for the book printing field, the printing techniques were grouped accordingly to their similarities in the production of the plates or the printing method. Compared to other artist’s books, the books made by artist-printers stand out for their graphic quality and for the interdependency between the concept and its form of presentation.