under the same moon
The influence of the Moon is omnipresent. With this series of prints I want to explore all the faces of the Moon through the physical manifestations of its effect on both man and nature.
Appears in:
Medium
Linocut, intaglio print with tetrapak matrix, suminagashi, collograph print with botanical elements, rubber stamps.
Year
2022
If we were to make a popularity ranking among celestial bodies, the Moon would probably have to recognize the Sun as the most important. Larger, more constant, a bearer of light and therefore safety and visibility. Lunar deities are relatively rarer than their solar counterparts, but ultimately our satellite, perhaps because of its proximity, perhaps because of its mysterious nature, perhaps because of the nocturnal intimacy that its observation brings, has nevertheless managed not to always be eclipsed by the Sun and to inspire large crowds of admirers.
Since ancient times, the Moon has been mainly seen in relation to the rhythm of cosmos and of change: its cyclical appearing and disappearing is the foundation of its widespread association with the concepts of death and rebirth. It is synonymous with change, with the perpetual but constant and repetitive changing of the seasons and consequently with the behavior of plants and animals. Its strong influence on nature also translates into an influence on man, in the form of folklore, mysticism, magic and science; from a light capable of revealing hidden madness, to a silent confidant to whom one can confess the contents of one’s soul, to the destination of incredible journeys from the imaginary to the real.
The sacredness of the Moon has long been linked to the fundamental rhythms of life and the universe in various eras and cultures; each of these, with its own cults linked to this satellite has contributed to generating a rich constellation of mythology and, above all, symbols. From cave paintings, to pareidolia, to contemporary abstractions, it is possible to extract a remarkable collection of signs and concepts, sometimes recurring,sometimes unique, linked to the moon; an alphabet of symbols that cover enormous quantities of time and space at our disposal to help us transpose this natural element into art.
“As we look at the same moon, I wonder what you're thinking”
This project can be divided in three parts: the stamps, the prints and the boxes.
STAMPS. Each stamp is a small circular relief matrix equipped with a unique design: a representation of the moon from specific works of art, mythological narratives or scientific representations. The lunar symbols were extracted from the original context and converted to a 3D model, then printed with a silver PLA filament to remind the viewer of the color of the lunar surface.
PRINTS. A collagraph is essentially a type of non-toxic print that is made by collaging materials of different textures glued onto a printing plate, often a thin piece of wood or cardboard. The shapes and materials are layered onto the plate and then sealed with a glossy varnish, in this case shellac. Collagraph prints can be made from a variety of materials, such as cardboard, filament, fabric, leaves, tape,and more.
BOXES. The prints and the collection of lunar stamps are both placed in two containers created to best express the theme of the work. In this case too, the boxes were first modeled in 3D, then printed with silver filament and, after masking some sections, painted inside in matte black. In other parts, however, they were covered with thin mirrored plates. The overlapping of the matte silver bases with irregular edges and the mirrored and squared lids is intended to remind the viewer of the interaction of a space rover with the surface of the satellite; but also to the component of reflection and introspection linked to the symbol of the moon.
This series of prints was born in the summer of 2020, when I had to take an engraving exam during a period of distance learning due to the global pandemic, without being able to take advantage of the knowledge and materials of a live lesson. That led to a series of prints created entirely with leftover, broken or forgotten materials found exclusively at home. Tetrapak from milk cartons, dried citrus peels, candy wrappers, linoleum scraps and many other elements. Not having a printing press,the choice fell on the broken roller block of a Polaroid camera; this has consequently limited the choice of the size of the prints, which are therefore quite small.
moons
Medium
Linocut, intaglio on tetrapak, suminagashi, eva foam printing, experimental printing with botanical elements.
Year
2020
