Printed Matter
Definition
This term refers to printed materials, such as books, posters, zines, and ephemera, that are often produced in limited editions or as part of an artistic practice. Printed matter has been an important medium in contemporary art, particularly in the context of conceptual art, where artists use print to explore themes of distribution, communication, and the intersection of art and everyday life.
History
Printed matter became a significant medium in the 1960s and 1970s with the rise of conceptual art, where artists like Ed Ruscha and Jenny Holzer used books, posters, and other printed materials to disseminate their ideas and engage with broader audiences. The use of printed matter often challenges traditional notions of art as a unique, precious object, instead emphasizing reproducibility, accessibility, and the relationship between text and image.
Notable Examples
Ed Ruscha
Twentysix Gasoline Stations, 1963
Key Artists & Movements
Key figures include Ed Ruscha, known for his artist books that combine photography and text to create works that blur the boundaries between art and everyday objects, and Jenny Holzer, whose text-based posters and truisms engage with public spaces and challenge viewers to reflect on social and political issues.
Techniques & Materials
Techniques involve the use of various printmaking and publishing methods, such as offset printing, screen printing, letterpress, and digital printing, to create books, posters, zines, and other printed materials. Artists may focus on the content, format, and distribution of printed matter, often exploring themes of mass communication, authorship, and the role of art in society. Printed matter allows for the production of multiples, making art more accessible and challenging traditional hierarchies of artistic value and distribution.
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