DESI 3120: European Travels in Typography

ITINERARY:
May 26 to June 13, 2008
Madrid and Denia, Spain 5/26/08 - 6/2/08
Mainz Germany, 6/3 - 6/8/08
Venice and Treviso, Italy, 6/8 - 6/13
Cost: $4800

Developed as an extension of the highly successful Travels in Typography class offered by the University of Minnesota Design Institute, instructor and printing historian, Bill Moran of Blinc Publishing will lead a tour of some of the finest typographic treasures the European continent has to offer. Each stop on our trip will provide the opportunity to research, set type and print in historically significant locations. In addition we'll examine the art, architecture and politics that fostered the growth of printing in Spain, Germany and Italy.

We start in Madrid where we will assist and observe the royal printers for King Juan Carlos of Spain in their annual book project. The catacombs of Conde Duque are home to exquisite collecitons of 19th century type and a host of presses. Within walking distance is Biblioteque Nacional, the premier library of the Iberian penninsula. Their rare book collection will be our source of inspiration for a series of reprints we will make using typefaces and presses at Conde Duque. Also within walking distance is the Prado Art Museum, the Picasso museum and a host of other cultural institutions. We finish the Spanish portion of our journey in the little coastal town of Denia, a three hour train ride to the East. The fortified castle of Denia provides a unique glimpse of the Christian/Muslim wars that have shaped the identity of the European continent since the 3rd millenium BC. We'll use this castle and the city of Denia
as a platform to discuss the Mediterranean's role in the migration of the alphabet over the last 8000 years.

From Spain we fly to Mainz, Germany, home of the Gutenberg Museum and birthplace of European movable type. The Gutenberg Museum features the rich timeline of printing that begins with the Chinese's invention of printing in 954 ad. Follow the evolution of printing to a full replica of Gutemberg's workshop as it existed in 1450. Daily demonstrations are given on replica presses immersing the visitor in unique crossroads of Renaissance meets publishing. 20 steps from the Gutenberg Museum is Druckladen, the premier letterpress printing workshop in Germany. Dr. Otto Martin will be our host, giving us the opportunity to print in the shadow of the finest examples of printing in the world. When the type is too much, pedal a bike, kayak the Rhine or wander the streets of Mainz to take in the old-world charm of northern Germany.

From Germany we take a train to Venice and nearby Treviso. This charming Italian Village will serve as our base while we explore the city of Venice and nearby Cornuda. In Venice we'll see architectural typography that dates from the first millenium, visit a variety of small letterpress shops and be hosted by the Marciana, Correr and Querini Stampaglia Libraries. 20 minutes north of Treviso is Tipoteca Italiana, the premier museum and workshop dedicated to the history of Italian Printing located in Cornuda. Our host Sandro Berra will assist us in printing on the finest collections of presses and the largest collection of wood type assembled in Italy.

SYLLABUS:

DESI 3120 Topics in Interdisciplinary Design: European Travels in Typography

May Term 2008

Madrid & Denia, Spain
May 27 - June 3

Mainz, Germany
June 3 - June 8

Venice and Treviso, Italy
June 8 - June 13


Introduction: A large portion of this trip will consist of researching and documenting historically significant books and manuscripts and working in regional letterpress studios to create “restrikes” of these objects. Your attendance and participation will guarantee a thorough immersion in the technical challenges and aesthetic demands placed on printers during the Renaissance.  Worth 40% of your grade.

In addition, the following exercises will make up the remainder of your grade:

You will be expected to create a process journal throughout the trip. It will include photos, writings, and artifacts. The goal is to create a visual map of your discoveries and experiences by going past a diary-like approach and delving into analysis of how the evolution of the written/printed word shapes your thinking and ultimately your design work today.
Due at the end of the trip and worth 20% of your grade.

Identify 5-7 primary resources (historic books, manuscripts, architectural typography) that you see while in each country (15-21 total) that warrant further investigation/explanation. Document these objects with a digital camera and write 4-6 sentences about the object’s pedigree and historical significance.
Due at the end of the trip and worth 10% of your grade.

Interview 1 person in Spain, Germany and Italy directly or indirectly involved in the use or preservation of the above mentioned artifacts. Does their job involve interpretation of these artifacts? Why are we still interested in these things 400-600 years after their creation? Write interview summaries in your process journal. Worth 10% of your grade.

Create a knowledge map that traces the evolution of a particular script through it’s creation and it’s subsequent conversion to movable type. Document the country where it originated, who it’s leading users were and a manuscript/book that incorporates it. Finished size will be 2 11”x17” color laser prints.
Due June 31st and worth 10% of your grade.

Participate in the class web site by providing regular updates in text and images using digital camera and computer. Every student will have a web page within the overall trip website. You can repurpose the content from your journal for the site. (5%)

Selected readings to be completed before departure:
Blackletter: Type and National Identity by Phil Baines.
Alpha Beta by John Man
Invisible Cities by Italo Calvino (5%)

Attendance, class participation and punctuality are mandatory! Only through prior arrangement or extenuating circumstance are meeting times and field trips to be missed. Each inexcused absence will result in a drop of a letter grade.