More than 400 artists, academics, and other practitioners from 31 countries will tomorrow descend upon the University of Dundee for the world’s largest and most prestigious printmaking conference.
The 8th biennial International Multidisciplinary Printmaking Conference (IMPACT 8) takes place at the University from Thursday 29th August to Sunday 1st September, the first time it has been held in Scotland. The conference delegates, world leaders in their field, will debate the latest research and developments in printmaking while also be joining thousands of visitors at the 40+ exhibitions, workshops, performances and other events organised around IMPACT 8.
The conference anchors the inaugural Print Festival Scotland (PFS), which takes place in Dundee and at satellite venues across the country until Sunday. The Festival aims to confirm the cultural diversity, historical significance and future potential of print, as artists and writers adjust to the digital age. Venues range from internationally recognised contemporary art galleries to local artist-run initiatives in alternative public spaces.
The term printmaking is generally used to refer to the process of using printing to make artworks but IMPACT will also explores the myriad ways in which print has contributed to social, economic, political and cultural change from the invention of the Guttenberg press through to the latest 3D printing technology.
The event is being organised by Professor Elaine Shemilt and Dr Paul Harrison from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design (DJCAD), part of the University, who have presented regularly at the conference series since the inaugural IMPACT event in Bristol 14 years ago.
“It is an honour for Dundee to be hosting this prestigious conference, and it brings to the city a significant cultural and financial boost,” said Professor Shemilt
“This is the first time that this conference is to be held in Scotland, and we are looking forward to welcoming these world class practitioners from the field of printmaking here. Although the conference is being hosted by the University and Dundee Contemporary Arts, we wanted to work with other arts organisations to make it a national celebration of Scotland’s past, present and future contribution to print.
“This gave birth to Print Festival Scotland, and the thrilling series of events will cover commercial and digital printing, historical aspects of printmaking, avant garde print practices and contemporary research. We will also explore how new technology will bring new ideas, opportunities and challenges.
“It will cover commercial and digital printing, historical aspects of printmaking, research taking us right up to the contemporary with new technology. We will then explore what comes next and discuss computer art and how new technology bring both new opportunities and challenges that must be faced.”
Since the first IMPACT conference was hosted by University of West England, Bristol in 1999, the events have been held in seven countries and across three continents. What began as a 'one-off' event has become a biennial feature in the printmaking calendar, bringing together hundreds of delegates from around the world.
The Conference celebrates the international diversity of the printmaking discipline from its roots in industrial communication through traditional, fine art based processes, to the current cutting-edge technology and theoretical debates.
The diversity and quality of print and printmaking practices in Dundee, both currently and historically make it an ideal location for attracting the world’s leaders in this field. The fact there is a concentration of printmaking activity in the University area will contribute to a dynamic experience for the delegates visiting the city.
Taking ‘exploration’ as their theme, the joint programme of events will celebrate the multiple identities of print media, with a particular focus on Dundee – the City of Discovery – which has a rich tradition of print, printmaking and publishing, and is a hub of contemporary digital technology innovation.
Dr Harrison added, “The fact we were chosen to host IMPACT 8 is recognition of the work going on in Dundee, and our position internationally in the field of printmaking. It is a very prestigious conference and we will show why Dundee is worthy of hosting such an event, and how world-leading work is taking place here.
“Scotland itself has a proud tradition of public access to printmaking, and we will build on this when we host IMPACT 8 and Print Festival Scotland.”
The full programme for IMPACT 8 and Print Festival Scotland can be found at www.conf.dundee.ac.uk/impact8/exhibitions.