Abstract
Via Crucis in Printmaking
Carlos Llerena Aguirre
University of Miami
The act of engraving can be compared to a via crucis because it is an intentional and ritualistic process. It is a ritual of passage, a lengthy and distressing process of incising the matrix followed by the angst to expression and transforming the meaning, emotions, with violence. I consider printmaking a via crucis not only for the lengthy distress but rather the extreme force applied through a metal press or squeegee and the tedious redrawing by incising, cutting, or burning with acid.
This essay is about the catharsis and violent expression in engraving. How is printmaking violent or aggressive? As a methodology, I will analyze several printmakers’ practice, and their approach to engraving leveraging emotions and aggressiveness to determine how the transference of intentions and emotions is done while printmaking.
To explore and answer the research question, I will consider realistic printmakers such as Hokusai, Rembrandt, and Durer, and the decorative and pop printmakers, Toulouse Lautrec, Warhol, Picasso, and Dali. I will compare them with the activist and expressionist printmakers Goya, Klipper, Beckman, Honore Daumier, Posada, Grafica Popular, Swoon, and Fairey whose prints are intense and violent. I will also investigate the graphic novel printmakers Lynn Ward, Dore, Gomez Peña, and Franz Masareel who printed aggressively and violently.
In conclusion, prints have a social responsibility, a sense of healing, and empathy for the victims of wars, discrimination, revolutions, colonization, human rights violations, human displacement, and police brutality.
*Violence in Printmaking
List of illustrations for the Abstract Printmaking‘s Via Crucis.
Francisco Jose de Goya y Lucientes. DISASTERS OF WAR. 'Grande hazaña Contra muertos!' (Heroic Feat! Against the Dead!). Etching and aquatint, plate 39, from 'Disasters of War,' 1810-14.
Kathe Kollwitz. Outbreak, Aquatint, 1908
Adolfo Mexiac. Libertad de expresión Woodcut. 1968
Carlos Llerena Aguirre. Sendero Luminoso. Xilography, 26” x 18”. 1991
*Shining Path, terrorist war in Peru 1980-2000
Diane Victor. Kom Vrou En Bring Die Kinders
from Disasters of Peace. 2001-03