Patterns and Pressure will feature MCLA student projects printed at
PRESS during the Fall semester by students in Professor Mowinski’s
Intro to Design and Concrete Poetry classes. Students explored how
line and shape can be used to create collaborative patterns and
rhythms within compositions. They carved linoleum and then had the
opportunity to make their own designs that connected with their fellow
classmates’ creations. The linoleum will be on view and visitors will
have the chance to see if they can arrange the linoleum as the
printmakers did.

Printmakers otften create portfolios of prints around a particular
theme. Each participant designs and prints an image that expresses
their visual analog for the topic. Patterns and Pressure includes
prints based on the themes RED and Scary Foods. Both of these themes
use the special letterpress procoess of pressure printing. Pressure
printing is an experimental letterpress technique in which a
low-relief collage is made with thin papers/objects, arranged into a
composition, glued onto a sheet of paper and then placed underneath
the paper to be inked. The resulting image is similar to a rubbing, a
bit mysterious, and a great background for other kinds of printmaking.

PRESS will also have on view and for sale a selection of affordable
prints for all your holiday needs. Emily Cohane-Mann’s North Adams
print will continued to be featured, as will a selection of all
occasion cards/greeting cards and prints made by Mowinski, students
and interns.

Look for special workshops at PRESS on select Thursdays and Sundays
during the month of December to learn more about pressure printing and
other letterpress processes.  Follow PRESS on Facebook for more info:
http://www.facebook.com/letterPRESSaspublicartproject