Course Code: 26SPV007I
This one-day, in-person workshop takes place at CBA on Saturday, February 28th, from 1PM to 4PM ET.
- Saturday, February 28th, from 1PM to 4PM ET.
Please Note: Registration for this workshop closes on February 14th, 2024 at 11:59 pm.
About the Workshop:
In this hands-on workshop, participants reimagine a centuries-old process through a contemporary lens of sustainability. Drawing inspiration from traditional iron gall inks, they will transform discarded organic and metallic materials into functional black art media, exploring how waste can be both a raw material and a conceptual starting point for creative practice.
The workshop begins with an investigation of the chemical interactions between organic compounds (e.g., teas, oak leaves, or acorns) and scrap metals, yielding deep, durable blacks. Through guided experimentation, participants will formulate and refine their own ink, observing how variations in waste sources and preparation methods influence color, texture, and drying properties.
As their inks develop, participants will evaluate their optical, textural, and drying qualities and use them to create a small expressive work: a drawing, print, or painted piece that captures the material story of its making. Along the way, the group will consider the historical evolution of ink and pigment-making and discuss how circular and regenerative practices can renew traditional craft in the context of contemporary art and design.
Required Materials:
All materials for this workshop will be provided by Center for Book Arts.
About the Instructor:
Julian R. Silverman is a chemist, educator, and science communicator whose work bridges the arts and sciences. Focusing on sustainable materials made from waste resources, he transforms organic molecules and recovered scrap metals into the paints, pigments, and inks we use to express our understanding of the natural world. In addition to designing and evaluating functional soft materials, he shares his work through live public science demonstrations that link the history of materials to our everyday routines and rituals. He has taught at primary and secondary schools, as well as colleges and universities. When he’s not dyeing clothes in his bathtub at home, you might find him catching leaves for tannins in Central Park. His collaborations with artists and educators bring sustainable principles to life in both research and practice.
All images courtesy of the instructor.