Printing Clarice’s Diary
- Jul 25, 2021
- 2 min read
This week was my first research trip outside Thanet since January 2020 and what a trip it was. John McKiernan, Graham Klyne and I visited the wonderful Stan Lane at Gloucester Typesetting to discuss the Monotype Compositions project, learn more about the historic Monotype process and see a section of Clarice’s diary being printed (read the background to the project here).
Clarice records the following in her diary in January 1916
Jan 1st
Had more bad cases in – 2 men have pieces of shrapnel in their eyes – besides wounds in other places – one with a piece in middle of forehead –
x-ray shows a tremendous piece lodged just above his nose.
2nd
Two men had eyes removed and the shrapnel removed from boys forehead. Marvellous the size of the piece – it is a miracle it didn’t kill him – also found a piece of his cap same size – the M.O’S are very interested in him – it seems so wonderful to think it didn’t kill him.
The more I research and the more I think about this project, the more I am sure it is the right direction to take.
During our visit this week I made lots of recordings, both sound and video and the first I will share is a short 2 minute film of some of Clarice’s diary being printed. The sound of the Heidleberg printing press creating a wonderful rhythm to the process. It feels like Monotype Compositions has become a reality even though I have yet to secure the funding. Sadly Arts Council England turned down my first application but not to be deterred a revised and updated application is under way.
Click on the image below to see the film of Clarice’s diary being printed
The post about Printing Clarice’s Diary is really fascinating because it shows how the project sits between traditional printmaking and experimental storytelling. I like how it explains the process not just as reproduction of text, but almost as transforming the diary into something physical, layered, and interpretive through monotype printing techniques. There’s a strong sense of history and memory being carried through material processes, which makes the work feel very grounded and personal rather than purely academic. It also highlights how much collaboration and technical experimentation is involved behind the scenes, which is often invisible in finished artworks. I recently came across rapid assignment help while reading around creative arts research, and found useful academic support through Assignment services which could help…