"Crossed Paths: Arrangement #2"
7" x 7" engravings on gampi papers, a triptych of three sets of overlaid prints, 2011, 22" x 30" sheet
"Crossed Paths: Four Directions," engravings on gampi papers, 2011
"Family Traces: Trick Roping," engraving on Kitakata paper, 2009, 7" x 7" image
"Family Traces: #12," engraving, 7" x 7" image
From "Crossed Paths" series, engravings on gampi papers, 7" x 7"
From "Crossed Paths" series, engravings on gampi papers, 7" x 7"
From "Crossed Paths" series, engravings on gampi papers, 7" x 7"
From "Crossed Paths" series, engravings on gampi papers, 7" x 7"
From "Crossed Paths" series, engravings on gampi papers, 7" x 7"
From "Crossed Paths" series, engravings on gampi papers, 7" x 7"
"Centripetal Forces: San Francisco," engraving and color aquatint, 7" x 7"
Making aquatint plates at Crown Point Press workshop, San Francisco
For the “Centripetal Forces” aquatints, I alter the conventional method of making aquatints by using a spinning rope to displace what is normally an even layer of loose rosin dust on copper plates. Then I proceed in the conventional methods of making aquatints: heat-fusing the rosin to the plate as an acid-resist, acid-etching the copper plates, cleaning the plate of all rosin, inking the plate, wiping the surface of the plate, leaving the etched areas filled with ink, putting paper on the plate and printing it under the high pressure of an etching press. Through this method I am able to record precise evidence of centripetal force as an indexical document.
The engraving process
For the engravings, I spin a rope coated with charcoal onto copper plates laid on the floor and spray them with fixative.
Next step in the process: engraving
Close-up of a partially completed engraved plate. The engraved marks (seen here as shiny gouges in the copper plate) replicate the charcoal dust left on the copper plate by the centripetal force of a spinning rope. After the plate is fully engraved, it is inked in the gouged areas and printed on paper with a high pressure press. The prints replicate and document the original marks of centripetal force of the rope.