Under the auspices of HRH Franz Duke of Bavaria

An event organized by the

Münchner Künstlerhaus-Stiftung

in Cooperation with

Akademie der Bildenden Künste, München (Academy of Fine Arts)
Bay. Landesamt für Vermessung und Geoinformation, München
e.a. münchen, Verein zur Förderung zeitgenössischer Druckgrafik
Kunstpavillon im Alten Botanischen Garten, München
Lebensversicherung von 1871 a. G. München
Planparallel, Verlag und Druckwerkstatt für Originalgrafik
Römerturm Feinstpapier GmbH & Co. KG
Staatliche Graphische Sammlung
in der Pinakothek der Moderne, München
Verein für Originalradierung, München
Verein Ausstellungshaus für christliche Kunst e.V., München


PRINTMAKING BEYOND THE BORDERS

In the past few years, a new world-wide culture of exchange and cooperation has emerged in the field of fine art printmaking, in particular in the area of lithography. While previous generations were trained professionally for the commercial use of lithography and fine art lithographers kept their acquired skills and know-how as a secret, communication between artists is more open today. The further development of lithography is being discussed and promoted, and a cross-sector understanding within the printmaking trade is acquired. Modern social networks such as Facebook and Twitter facilitate a quick and lively international exchange.

It is true that the feared "dying” of printing companies has set in – at the same time, however, almost just as many new companies and ambitious projects are being established. A young generation of artists and printers are cultivating the medium with innovative esprit and new ideas. Current approaches in printmaking freely experiment with technical limits, merge techniques and go beyond ordinary dimensions. Today, a graphic print no longer is the classic panel, and it is not tied to the proverbial nail on the wall any more: artists are using techniques of printmaking for animations or sculptures and also explore the latest technique: three-dimensional printing. They do not see the future of lithography as a technique of reproduction, but rather as a non-limitable experimental art medium, with a focus on the creation of a unique object. Here, for example, the start-up company `keystone- editions´ in Berlin and the recently established `planparallel´ publishing house in Southern Germany should be mentioned.

The 2nd European Lithography Days 2012, initiated by the Steindruck München Lithography Workshop at the Münchner Künstlerhaus, are to give an overview of these new developments. At the place of origin of lithographic printing, they will offer artists, art dealers and lithographers a platform for a direct and practically-oriented substantial exchange on the present position and trends of lithography. On top of that, talks by internationally renowned experts and discussions will create a basis for the further development of the qualities of lithography.