Highpoint hosted a cohort of print historians, curators, and educators from the Association of Print Scholars for a workshop Funded by the Getty Research Institute in the Highpoint studio at the end of July. Participants came to Minneapolis from all over the United States, along with two others who traveled internationally for the workshop, one from Montreal and another from Basel, Switzerland. Cole Rogers and Josh Bindewald provided a thorough, technically-focused, and participatory walkthrough of intaglio printmaking. Participants were able to create two images on copper plates using the techniques of drypoint, engraving, line etch, aquatint, and spit-bite. They were also guided through the process of making prints from their plates. Cole and Josh also demonstrated additional advanced intaglio techniques, including sugar lift, soft ground, chine-collé, and multiple plate printing.
Amidst and between their studio sessions, the scholars viewed and discussed intaglio publications that Highpoint Editions has completed. They were also able to examine seminal historical prints during several visits to Mia. On their last day in the printshop, the scholars had the opportunity to apply their knowledge by identifying the techniques used in each other's prints and discussing what they had learned. The single greatest takeaway was their surprise at the level of skill needed to correctly wipe a plate, the scholars were emphatic about it!
The workshop was a long time in the works and took a great deal of planning. Originally it was to take place in the summer of 2020, but due to obvious circumstances, it was delayed. This was a case of good things worth waiting for, Josh said this about the workshop: “Teaching this group was so rewarding, their enthusiasm was palpable and contagious! All week long, they peppered us with intelligent questions and insights. It was just such a great experience all around.”
Thanks to the Association of Print Scholars for entrusting us to teach them intaglio and to engraving expert Todd Bridigum for helping introduce the ancient art of engraving to the group!
