Making Faces

I just received my copy of Making Faces: Metal Type in the 21st Century. Making Faces is a documentary by Richard Kegler of P22 Type Foundry showcasing Jim Rimmer, master typographer, who passed away in January 2010. The DVD came with a lot of extras: a specimen book of Stern—the first (and perhaps only) font released simultaneously in metal and digitally; a chapbook of Rimmer's type designs (pictured above); a cast metal lower case 'k' from the Stern family (also pictured above); and a copy of Rimmer's font Loxley, made for an edition of Robin Hood.

In the spirit of connecting this to entry to my blog—metal type is a perfect watermark. It leaves an impression beyond the letter forms and the paper fibers. It's a watermark of type designers and their lives, of craftspeople and industry; a watermark of both time and history. Kegler's drive to capture Rimmer at work on film is a valentine in the nick of time.

Full Bleed

Held at the Mandate Press in Salt Lake City, here is a synopsis of a recently-attended exotic AIGA event: Full Bleed.

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On Thursday, October 28, the world of contemporary art and body art will merge as AIGA joins with professionals from the Yellow Rose and Cathedral Tattoo shops for 'Full Bleed: The tattoo and design experience.'

Tattoo culture has seen an influx of new artists, many of whom have impressive technical and fine arts training. From drawings, prints, and paintings to skin, the art and culture of the tattoo industry crosses traditional boundaries by telling life stories. Using the iconography of experiences, from classic Tattoo Flash to the Old West, from Asia and Polynesia, each design carries it's own special meaning.

Join AIGA Salt Lake City as we explore the graphic perspective on today's global tattoo culture. Entry gets you two drinks on us, access to top local artists, local artwork, and plenty of ink!
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Library Rapture

This is my favorite recurring exhibit. Every year the AIGA displays some of the best in publishing. It causes some serious bouts of jealousy, but also some serious bouts of elation. And I think this was the most books I happened to already own. Sigh, McSweeney's. Timely, since Chronicle Books just released The Art of McSweeney's, which I'm reading right now.

The exhibit is twice as fun for always being held at the U of U Marriott Library. Laurie gave me a short tour through the Book Arts Studio to see her recent letterpress project.

Making Faces

I'm excited to have just made a donation to Richard Kegler's documentary Making Faces: Metal Type in the 21st Century. Kegler's foundry, P22, remains one of America's most engaging type makers and distributors. The documentary features Jim Rimmer, who passed away this year. Rimmer's exquisite font families can be found at P22. My favorite is the chiseled Lapis. Regardless of the tools used, fonts are still human-made; and I love how Rimmer's fonts feel cultivated by hand.

Kegler used persuasive incentive to donate: a copy of the film on DVD, a specimen book from Rimmer's poetic typeface Stern, and a yet-to-be-released Robin Hood font called Loxley. I look forward to the eventual release of Making Faces.

Bar Code Deluxe: Second Edition

Another playful bar code in letterpress. This one is from Mr. Letter's Press. It's a special-edition holiday card made for AI[Give]A Holiday Card Party held recently at Salt Lake's tastiest little boutique: Frosty Darling.

Bar Code Deluxe

I recently bought this gem of a catalogue from P22 type foundry. It's exquisite with it's black felt cover, deckle edges, metallic inks, die-cut, translucent sheets and Mohawk's superfine paper throughout. But the thing I had to capture is it's debossed bar code on the back. I have not seen anyone do that yet. Don't know if it's permissible, or an artistic statement on utility vs. aesthetics. Either way, it was a delight. The actual content of the book needs to be seen to be appreciated. And this collector's piece from P22 is one that will surely call back to me again and again.

Life With the Pomegranate

This is a handmade book by my friend Evie Marenco, circa 2005. Evie has been an inspiration to me for years, and her book is a treasure. It's a collection of experiences with pomegranates, and how they connect her family through generations. Evie dyed the paper, printed and bound the book herself. It includes pomegranate-like beads on the stitching of the spine; and the book opens up to make a star. Between the french-fold pages are red sheets of paper so the book resembles a pomegranate itself, with the little disc's like the discovery of seeds held in the pith. Evie weaves imagery from playing cards throughout, which adds graphic impact as well as an extra layer of fun and personal meaning.

Letterpressed

Sept. 2002. After picking up my wedding announcements made by a letterpress craftsman in Provo, UT, I dropped by my Alma Mater to catch an illustration exhibit. There were cases of old metal type stored in the back lobby. I was mesmerized and stole a letter V. A theft. A memento. A taxation. Oct. 2002. Honeymooning in Bar Harbor, ME, I called a craftsman I read about in a magazine who makes shadowbox collages with actual wood type.  I thought it would be a fun wedding gift, but they never responded. Nov. 2007. We dropped by a consignment shop that had miscellaneous metal and wood type and I had to get more. A blue rubber band is less attractive than a shadowbox but the V has company now, and to keep it sentimental I picked out our new house number. Since I'm currently in love with ligatures I also had to get the double f.