On the Grid: Ways of Seeing in Print

The grid is an invisible framing device that dominates the modern world, visualizing control, mastery, and order. On the Grid: Ways of Seeing in Print surveys photographs, prints, artists' books, and printed sculptures from the Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center at Vassar College to explore how artists have embraced, rejected, and reclaimed the grid, offering new ways of seeing the world.

Format: Hardback
Length: 128 pages
Publication date: 08 November 2022
Publisher: Scala Arts & Heritage Publishers Ltd

The grid, a ubiquitous presence in various forms of media, including notepads, spreadsheets, and halftone photographic reproductions, exerts a profound influence on the organization, perception, and representation of the modern world, particularly in print. Rooted in a Western worldview, the grid visualizes control, mastery, and order, permeating our daily lives to the point where we often overlook its pervasive nature. However, when artists draw our attention to the grid, its intricate layers of meaning come to the forefront.

On the Grid: Ways of Seeing in Print, a captivating exhibition curated by the Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center at Vassar College, presents a comprehensive survey of photographs, prints, artists' books, and printed sculptures from the center's dynamic permanent collection. Spanning from the 19th century to the present day, this richly illustrated volume explores the diverse ways in which artists have embraced, rejected, and reclaimed the grid. By altering and challenging our perception, these artists offer us fresh perspectives on the world, expanding our understanding of visual language and artistic expression.

Contributions from a diverse group of experts, including Jared Bark, Jessica D. Brier, Lukas Felzmann, Stephen Frailey, John P. Murphy, Werner Pfeiffer, Alison Rossiter, Stephanie Syjuco, Rhiannon Skye Tafoya, and Massimo Tarrida, enrich the exhibition's insights. Each contributor brings their unique perspective, contributing to a rich tapestry of interpretations and interpretations.

Through a diverse range of artistic mediums, including photography, prints, and sculptures, On the Grid: Ways of Seeing in Print invites viewers to explore the multifaceted nature of the grid. From its scientific and portrait applications in the 19th century to its avant-garde and conceptual manifestations in the 21st century, the grid has served as a tool for artists to experiment, push boundaries, and challenge our preconceived notions of visual representation.

The exhibition also delves into the historical and cultural significance of the grid, examining how it has evolved and adapted to changing societal norms and technological advancements. The grid's ability to organize and structure information, as well as its association with power and control, has shaped the way we perceive and interpret the world around us.

In conclusion, On the Grid: Ways of Seeing in Print is a thought-provoking exhibition that invites us to reexamine our perception of the grid and its role in shaping the visual landscape of the modern world. By exploring the diverse ways in which artists have embraced, rejected, and reclaimed this ubiquitous framing device, the exhibition offers us a fresh perspective on the power of visual language and artistic expression. Through its rich illustrations and insightful contributions, On the Grid encourages us to see the world in new and exciting ways.

Dimension: 230 x 220 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781785514494