Randomness Projects
The original type transfers were created as an experiment of randomness, play, and response. The laser cuts further explore those aspects of process in the digital environment. The digital tools provide opportunities to replicate exactly specific parts of the design to create compositions are both analog and digital. The use of the substrate was intentional to juxtapose the analog material of cardboard and the production tool of laser cutter.
What do we gain and lose as a result of new technologies is always a question that follows innovation. Do we like the Polaroid film because of the materiality of it or because it reminds us of a part of our history or because it’s instant? The Polatype Transfers is an experiment of analog and digital technologies that explores the strengths of those technologies. The result is a series of images that are old and contemporary; photograph and print; handmade and digitally made; and something entirely new.
These typographic experiments are the result of random exploration of an old design artifact, press type, that is deteriorating and hard to control. I let the press type process of burnishing and scraping tell me where to go and when to stop. This is a way to be creative in the moment and let go.