Brief:
students were tasked with producing a final project / package consisting of various components. The visual language should be developed through applying printmaking.
The final product should leave the audience feeling moved, comforted, or empowered after viewing the piece.
The final product should leave the audience feeling moved, comforted, or empowered after viewing the piece.
Concept:
“Hopeful Blues” is an illustration project which seeks to curate my post-lockdown poetry. The five poems explore themes of spirituality, nature, childhood, perseverance and ultimately acceptance, and are artefacts which strive to capture divine moments within an ever-changing, complex world.
The illustrations portray vital symbols within the poetry and were created through relief printing. These high contrast prints were then scanned in and edited to create the distinct rich blue visuals of the project. The final works echo the handmade, the personal, and the process of self-creation.
Each poem exists in a fold out pamphlet (long poem) format, and is accompanied by a framed detail print. These two components are packaged with a belly band sleeve.
Numbering: on the first day of lockdown, I numbered the poem I wrote as poem 1. From there, I wrote daily, numbering each poem. Mainly to keep track of the lockdown. It remained a habit, long after the lockdown was lifted. Each poem is assigned a number which reflects this, as well as the date it was written.
The illustrations portray vital symbols within the poetry and were created through relief printing. These high contrast prints were then scanned in and edited to create the distinct rich blue visuals of the project. The final works echo the handmade, the personal, and the process of self-creation.
Each poem exists in a fold out pamphlet (long poem) format, and is accompanied by a framed detail print. These two components are packaged with a belly band sleeve.
Numbering: on the first day of lockdown, I numbered the poem I wrote as poem 1. From there, I wrote daily, numbering each poem. Mainly to keep track of the lockdown. It remained a habit, long after the lockdown was lifted. Each poem is assigned a number which reflects this, as well as the date it was written.
Planning:
Printmaking process:
Long Poems
"And when I couldn't sleep// I drove out for an hour// the mist settling on my windshield// the sun barely awake// the light changed// my heart changed// and I stopped next to the road to watch a gentle-eyed dairy cow// clean her flanks in the morning sun."
-Milo Lintvelt
Poem 635
27/12/ 2021
-Milo Lintvelt
Poem 635
27/12/ 2021
"The trees bent in to hold me// as I walked down the spine of the mountain// the wind pulled me along by the hand telling me// don't give in// don't go where your heart does not burn like summer currents// like warm breath from the lungs of wild wild creatures// don't go."
-Milo Lintvelt
Poem 674
4/2/2022
-Milo Lintvelt
Poem 674
4/2/2022
"I saw two young boys on two wild ponies// they used no bridles// they wore no shirts and were brown from the sun// and through rivers and over hills// the wild ponies carried them// crushing the soft plants underfoot// their knotted manes were braided with silver bells// so the young boys could always find them in the night// and in the night the wild ponies would always take them home"
-Milo Lintvelt
Poem 713 - 714
16/3/ 2022
-Milo Lintvelt
Poem 713 - 714
16/3/ 2022
"All the stars on the mountain watched over me// cold pure and bright// gently they watched over my sleeping// dark dark eyes// they watched over my strong// my familiar resting body// and whilst I lie there// visiting the angels// whilst in their gaze// all evil formed against me turns to salt in their presence."
-Milo Lintvelt
Poem 675
5/2/2022
-Milo Lintvelt
Poem 675
5/2/2022
"One gray dove// in a restless April sky// she seemed a vision// an omen from the other side// and there's just no way of convincing// those who can't see it// that there's a heaven// that its truly there// but when the mist rolls inn over the fields// like birds flocking// I know its there"
-Milo Lintvelt
Poem 753 - 754
21/12/ 2022
-Milo Lintvelt
Poem 753 - 754
21/12/ 2022
Physical Mockups:
Reflection:
A personal project, this piece is somewhat of a dream come true. I've been writing poetry since I was eleven years old and when I left home in 2019 for the first time to pursue my fine arts degree, I decided to keep a journal where I'd write a poem each day.
That first journal (and the four others since) have documented the highs, lows, tragedies, triumphs, divine and mundane processes of my life. To be able to visualise some of my post-lockdown poetry has been rewarding to say the least. The hands on, imperfect medium of lino-printing furthermore lends some soul to the illustrations, a reminder that there's a person behind the words and the project.
Overall, I have learnt how to take the barebones of language, and to create an integrated final piece which curates my "Hopeful Blues", and in so doing, helps to convey its ethos - that is, to keep writing, keep making, keep documenting it all - even when it feels like it doesn't matter.
Because in the end it always does.
That first journal (and the four others since) have documented the highs, lows, tragedies, triumphs, divine and mundane processes of my life. To be able to visualise some of my post-lockdown poetry has been rewarding to say the least. The hands on, imperfect medium of lino-printing furthermore lends some soul to the illustrations, a reminder that there's a person behind the words and the project.
Overall, I have learnt how to take the barebones of language, and to create an integrated final piece which curates my "Hopeful Blues", and in so doing, helps to convey its ethos - that is, to keep writing, keep making, keep documenting it all - even when it feels like it doesn't matter.
Because in the end it always does.
