Oehme Graphics joins “How Things Are Made”

Fair goers always rave about "How Things Are Made," an exhibition that transforms visitors into participants in the creative process. This year ART Santa Fe is delighted to welcome nationally renowned Oehme Graphics from Colorado, featuring both monotype and etching demonstrations.

The monotype is an art form that is of particular interest to artists, as there is only one finished print (mono) rather than an edition of multiple prints of the same image. The process is direct to plate and allows for spontaneity. Creating a monoprint may involve a single pass through the press or many passes. All of this makes for an exciting experience as the artist responds to each pass or layer.

The basic principle of etching is that an acid-resistant material is placed over a metal plate, and then the design is drawn with etching needles through the material, revealing the plate beneath. The exposed areas are eaten away when the plate is put into an acid bath. When the plate is ready for printing, ink is applied, then wiped away. The lines incised in the plate hold a reserve of ink that is transferred to the paper. Variants in the technique allow for a wide array of effects.

HOW THINGS ARE MADE: Park Fine Art Korean Paper Making

For thousands of years, the traditional handmade Korean paper known as hanji has been an indispensable material of daily life in Korea.

Hanji is constructed from the inner bark of the dak tree, or native Korean mulberry, which possesses fibers of exceptional length, resilience, and sheen. The items manufactured from it boast a durability that spans centuries; in fact, hanji can retain its completely smooth surface for up to 1,000 years.

Remarkably, hanji was made into armor in the early Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). Because of its waterproof properties, it was able to maintain body temperatures during winter while also protecting soldiers against spears, arrows, and swords. Today, the naturally antibiotic material has an application in hospitals, where it is used as sterile paper, bandages, and even artificial skin.

In the aesthetic realm, hanji has been used to build doors, windows and walls; for furniture, umbrellas, lanterns, boxes, fans and kites; and for clothing and shoes. Koreans even used hanji for their floors.

As part of Art Santa Fe's "How Things Are Made" series, Park Fine Art is pleased to present an exclusive demonstration of hanji making, facilitated by Yu-Ra Lee, professor at Jun-Ju University in South Korea and President of the Korean Traditional Paper Association.

The process of creating hanji takes approximately ten minutes; another ten minutes is needed for the paper to dry. After demonstrating the creation of the paper, overlap sheets of previously made hanji will be used to create a sturdy material resembling cardboard.

Using only this traditional hand-made paper, Lee, along with five other Korean artists, will be constructing a myriad of unique objects. The resulting pieces—beautiful yet sturdy—can last for years if handled properly.

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