"Prose to Print" is a captivating exhibition that dives into the world of printmaking, where words and images converge. With a diverse range of printmaking techniques and processes, our talented artists have created thought-provoking pieces that express the essence of prose in unique and captivating ways.
In a world where text, speech and visuals may be Al generated to emulate the human condition, arguably more humanely than humanity, it may be considered old school to plagiarise Wikipedia for information on knowledge about words and their meanings. A useful tool nonetheless (if the information is correct) especially for this exhibition and expediting understanding without the blood, sweat and tears of intellectual rigour (a term coined by one of my past teachers).
Ekphrasis is an apt word from antiquity for the current times, where the distinction between descriptions of artworks and the creation of artworks can take many forms. Critiques of work or work that is directly influenced by another artist's art and secondly the original creative intention of the artist in which new angles are taken in the creation of artworks by artists wrestling with creativity.
It is known that all human endeavours are based on those before us but on occasion new thinking, originality if such a thing exists or can persist develops a new angle that astounds us and makes us consider things in a different way. A study of those and their work before us enriches our futures but there is a differentiation to be made between regurgitation and new angles.
Al generated content, when it was conceived could be considered new thinking, creating new angles from a mass of previously generated information, a form of ekphrasis possibly?
The clue is in the name, 'Artificial' intelligence (AI), and there may be some benefit to this, as who wouldn't like someone or something to do the thinking for you on occasion.
Of course, a balance is required in all things and will only come from playing with the boundaries of these intelligences and this is becoming ever more apparent as Al delves into a variety of different spheres of influence and evolves.
While writing, I have become reticent in sharing this exhibition statement for fear of critique so to speak. The writing of this exhibition statement originated from me without the protective screen of an artificial intelligence to which I could blame if it all doesn't go down too well (Did I just admit that! but as an aside, humans in antiquity in many cultures would have had many forms of passing on and retaining knowledge, a lifetime of study, akin to human computers if you will.
Like the visual and musical arts, typically putting yourself out there may formulate nerves and doubts, a human condition for lack of a better term but one with pros and cons. Searching via Al may alleviate these doubts if I was so inclined to look. Al apparently is learning and whether these doubts may be learned is another question.
Digital art, a discipline, whether visually or lyrically has been facing some challenges recently mainly with Al scraping and scouring content to generate 'original' works of art based on artworks uploaded by artists throughout the years.
New content protection methods have had to be invented to protect the intellectual property rights of the artists' work used in the 'generation' (resisting the use of the term 'creation' here) of these 'original' artworks.
There is a distinct difference to be made between 'creation and generation' and the discipline of printmaking has had its own fair share of discourse over the years about this. Typically, between; what is an original handmade series of prints vs reproductions or copies. (There is a difference, but then, I am biased).
More so than any other time that I can think of, it seems there is more of a need for a place like a printmaking studio, where artists and/or printmakers (is there a differentiation here too?) from a diverse range of approaches can have these conversions and create art face to face in physical form, creating physical sensory content in balance with the digital age.
When experiencing the Prose to Print exhibition, not all the artists wanted or needed to provide text or an explanation for the visual work and some did. Much like music, there is a visual language that may speak to the senses in that regard for those types of sensory abilities.
Please enjoy this thought provoking hybrid visual sensory experience created by our BPW members
The word ekphrasis, or ephrasis, comes from the Greek for the written description of a work of art produced as a rhetorical or literary exercise.
It is a vivid, often dramatic, verbal description of a visual work of art, either real or imagined.
Thus,
"an ekphrastic poem is a vivid description of a scene or, more commonly, a work of art." In ancient times, it might refer more broadly to a description of anything, person, or experience.
The word "ekphrasis" originates from the Greek words "ἐκ" (ek), meaning "out," and "φράσις" (phrasis), meaning "speak" or "expression." The verb "ἐκφράζειν" (ekphrázein) means "to describe or express in words" and is commonly associated with providing detailed verbal descriptions of works of art or scenes in literature, rather than solely referring to naming inanimate objects.
The works of art described or evoked, may be real or imagined; and this may be difficult to discern. Ancient ekphrastic writing can be useful evidence for art historians, especially for paintings, as virtually no original Greco-Roman examples survive.
Ekphrasis has been considered generally to be a rhetorical device in which one medium of art tries to relate to another medium by defining and describing its essence and form, and in doing so, relate more directly to the audience, through its illuminative liveliness.
A descriptive work of prose or poetry, a film, or even a photograph may highlight through its rhetorical vividness what is happening or what is shown. For example, in the visual arts, it may enhance the original art and so take on a life of its own through its brilliant description.
One example is a painting of a sculpture: the painting is "telling the story of" the sculpture, and so becoming a storyteller, as well as a story (work of art) itself.
Virtually any type of artistic medium may be the actor of or subject of ekphrasis. Although, for example, it may not be possible to make an accurate sculpture of a book to retell the story in an authentic way, it is the spirit of the book that may be conveyed by virtually any medium and thereby enhance the artistic impact of the original book through synergy.
Prose to Print continues until September 29th at Belfast Print workshop.
Prose to Print
From the Ordinary to the Extraordinary
We are delighted to invite you to the exciting exhibition, "Prose to Print," organised by Belfast Print Workshop. This event showcases the remarkable talent of our BPW members, artist-in-residence, and 2023 graduate awardees, who have come together to explore the intriguing intersection of prose and printmaking.
"Prose to Print" is a captivating exhibition that dives into the world of printmaking, where words and images converge. With a diverse range of printmaking techniques and processes, our talented artists have created thought-provoking pieces that express the essence of prose in unique and captivating ways.
Don't miss this unique opportunity to explore the fascinating connection between words and images, and immerse yourself in the captivating world of "Prose to Print" at Belfast Print Workshop.
Details
Exhibition Title: Prose to Print
Opening Date: Thursday, September 7, 2023
Opening Time: 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Exhibition Duration: September 7, 2023, to September 29, 2023
For any inquiries or further information, please contact us at office@bpw.org.uk.
We look forward to welcoming you to this remarkable exhibition.