Bright blue against striking white, there’s something captivating about cyanotypes. Whether you’ve just seen them as Instagram posts, bought bookmarks or took part in a workshop to learn this 19th-century printmaking process – there is something for everyone at ‘Origins,’ set to be held at Studio 345, Wheeler Road Extension, to mark World Cyanotype Day. “It’s a celebration of cyanotypes in all the forms they have come to us,” says Mohit Mahato, founder of alternative print studio Pagal Canvas, who has cocurated the exhibition alongside Rohini Kejriwal and Greeshma Patel.
On display will be works by a host of artists invited by Mahato, including creations beyond the typical paper prints. “On the theme ‘Origin’, we have artists who have sent in cyanotypes made from X-ray images, one from Baroda who has been making cyanotypes on glass, whom I specifically wanted there to show cyanotypes being used in a different medium, and also a student who has made an animation with cyanotypes which works like a flipbook. We also have someone who has created cyanotypes on fabric, which will be hung like a curtain through which visitors enter the space,” shares Mahato
However, with cyanotype-only exhibitions being uncommon in the city and practitioners getting few opportunities to exhibit their creations, this exhibition has made it a point to include work not just by professional artists but hobby artists who sent in their work as well. “We had an open call because we wanted them to be celebrated too,” he says.
The exhibition’s inviting hand extends even to those who have never tried making cyanotypes before, with a workshop teaching the basics. “The workshop will be on the second day and we’ll have a place to put up their work too!” he shares.
(The exhibition will take place from Sept 27 to 30)
