An Approach: New Ways of Printmaking

Abstract

Johann Gutenberg of Germany first printed a book in 1456, and about a hundred years later it was introduced in India by the Portuguese. Since these inventions, all the visual art media is being practiced all over the world today. Among these, Graphic art is one of the most powerful and universal. With the passage of time, many practical and theoretical developments took place. As a result, printmaking is now in an uncertain territory. Under the guidance of Somnath Hore various experiments took place in Late 20th Century. And printmaking as a specialization was introduced for the first time in India at the graduate level. Early 21st Century witnessed the rise of new media. Early 18th century photographical techniques are reinvented and started in practice by the printmakers, which did not spell the end for traditional graphic media. So digital technologies have not replaced other methods but rather extended choice and capacity. Other issue related to the printing process deals with highly toxic chemicals like Acid nitric, acid Phosphoric, etc. Complying with Supreme Court's direction of September 2013, a ban on sale of acid has been imposed across the country in wake of rising attacks on women and by keeping the serious view on environmental issues. All these issues related to printmaking process need to be analyzed carefully. And this paper is a moderate attempt in this direction.