“We are Volcanoes”

Notes for the cyanotype workshop/ a creative laboratory

In the View part II

Background, key historical quotes written around the time of these discoveries

In 1842 Sir John Herschel (1792 – 1871), an English scientist, astronomer and botanist discovered the cyanotype. The name of the cyanotype was derived from the Greek name cyan, meaning “dark-blue impression.” Following his discovery, friend illustrator and botanist, Anna Atkins (1799 – 1871) applied the process to document algae, seaweed and ferns. In her influential book ‘Sun Gardens – Victorian Photograms she describes the process:

“A cyanotype, is a simple and elegant process, involving two chemical compounds: ferric ammonium citrate and potassium ferricyanide. The paper is then dried in the dark and is ready to be placed under a negative (to make a print) or a flat object (to make a photogram) and exposed to the rays of the sun. The only other chemical compound involved is one that is often taken for granted: water. Simply washing the exposed cyanotype brings out the rich blue colour and makes the print permanent.”1843

Lady Elizabeth Eastlake (1809-1893) in her writing for London Quarterly Review 1857 describes “…the process known as ‘Photographic Drawing,’ by which leaves, or lace, or wings of insects, or any flat and semi-transparent substances, laid upon prepared paper, and exposed to the direct action of the sun, will leave a perfect tracery of their forms.”

And a couple of contemporary photographers/artists.

Mandy Barker has made an incredible body of work which you can find at www. ATKINS-BARKER.com through her website you will find out more about the work of Anna Atkins as well as Mandy’s projec

Megan Riepenhoff in ‘Littoral Drift’ makes innovative cyanotypes “The elements that I employ in the process—waves, rain, wind, and sediment—leave physical inscriptions through direct contact with photographic materials.”

Word fragments

looking/closelooking/unlearning/idea/experiment/chance/play/process/intention/collaboratingsite/space/location/place/environment/landscape/view/thoughts/making/trace/document/time

knowledge/talking/walking/transformation/history/geography/autobiography.

“When we ‘see’ a landscape, we situate ourselves in it.” John Berger