The Sequential Imaging Laboratory/Laboratoire d’imagerie séquenciel (sillis) was formed in 2007 when David Morrish, Pierre LeBlanc and myself were awarded a multi-year Social Science and Humanities Research Council of Canada Research/Creation Grant for our project Creating the visual book through integration of the divergent technologies of photogravure and digital processes. This section of the website documents the work that I have done in conjunction with this project.

Creating the visual book through integration of the divergent technologies of photogravure and digital processes

In 2007, David Morrish and Pierre LeBlanc (co-applicants) and myself as, principal applicant, were awarded a three-year Social Science and Humanities Research Council of Canada Research/Creation Grant in the amount of $146,000 for this collaborative initiative. In this research, we explore how historical and contemporary technologies co-exist and expand on each other’s limitations. The impact of integrating the different tools/technologies will be considered in all stages of the work, from the initial genesis through to transmission to the audience and its reception.

The objective is to investigate the creation of book works and other forms of sequential imagery using an integrated approach to the technologies of printmaking, photography and digital imaging. The broad challenge of incorporating technologies will be focused by a specific research into the process of colour separation photogravures. This project has four main components: research, creation, training and dissemination. The broad challenge of incorporating technologies will be focused by a specific research into the process of colour separation photogravures. This image-making medium will then be applied to the creation of book works and sequential imagery.

Two questions motivated this project. What is the impact of the interplay of digital and analogue technologies on image making and the creation of book works? How does media-related decision making influence outcome? This research functions as the catalyst for us to combine expertise while creating individual work and engaging in critical dialogue. My expertise lies in the areas printmaking, photogravure and book arts with strong skills in the area of photography. David Morrish has expertise in the areas of photography and photogravure with strong skills in the areas of digital imaging and book arts. Pierre LeBlanc has expertise in the areas of digital imaging, photography and printmaking with strong skills in the area of critical theory.

The proposed research presents an opportunity to create work that is experimental in nature and encourages evolution for each of us. Book works provide the ideal context for integration with cross and inter-disciplinary potential. This project is motivated by a desire to challenge and expand on our use of both traditional and contemporary multiple-producing technologies. The use of various media to create work has a direct bearing on both the artist and the resulting product, by affecting the decision making process in complex ways. Through a thoughtful analysis of how and why such decisions are made every stage of production it will be possible to propose cultural theory that will explore the work of art from inception to reception and examine how media-related decision making can influence outcome.