The Marine Debris Typeface Project
A study of found local vernacular letterforms and is part of an investigation into Type and Place. An attempt to subvert the relationship between production and waste, with the creation of a working font through the chance discovery of marine litter. The found type highlights the need to design out waste and calls for design to play a more integral role in the circular economy.
The relationship between these found objects and their (our) environment is inseparable, yet if issues of their impact are to be communicated to a new audience, separation is exactly what is needed, a new approach reacting against the cliché of folk-art environmentalism. The twenty six letters work not only as a graphic notation of language, but also as a comment on the environmental challenge of disposable manufacturing
Rule:
Collect marine debris from one beach until you find (shapes that resemble) all 26 letters of the alphabet. Document what you find.
How many pieces of Marine Debris will I need to pick up on Wherrytown Beach before I find the 26 letters of the alphabet?
Wherrytown Beach, pieces collected: 2041
Methodology:
• Pick up any piece of marine debris that is smaller than an A4 sheet of paper.
• No bottles, cans, plastic bags, crisp packets or chocolate wrappers.
• No manipulation of the objects.
• Stop collecting when I have all 26 letters.
• Document all that I find.
The relationship between these found objects and their (our) environment is inseparable, yet if issues of their impact are to be communicated to a new audience, separation is exactly what is needed, a new approach reacting against the cliché of folk-art environmentalism. The twenty six letters work not only as a graphic notation of language, but also as a comment on the environmental challenge of disposable manufacturing
Rule:
Collect marine debris from one beach until you find (shapes that resemble) all 26 letters of the alphabet. Document what you find.
How many pieces of Marine Debris will I need to pick up on Wherrytown Beach before I find the 26 letters of the alphabet?
Wherrytown Beach, pieces collected: 2041
Methodology:
• Pick up any piece of marine debris that is smaller than an A4 sheet of paper.
• No bottles, cans, plastic bags, crisp packets or chocolate wrappers.
• No manipulation of the objects.
• Stop collecting when I have all 26 letters.
• Document all that I find.
Featured in:
Participate:
If you have found a letterform on the beach, please get in touch and let me know.
Just send me an e-mail with the following: an image of your letterform, where you found it and your contact details. Thanks.
Gorthwedh Type Benches
Callum Mitchell & Dion Star, 2019.
Interview extracts from Tin Coast locals on reclaimed eucalyptus.
Project details to follow...
Photo © Steve Tanner ↑
Work in Progress Photos →
Photos © Steve Tanner →
Various Writings
Chapter One
These films are extracts from Various Writings: Chapter One, a performative lecture at the 8th International Conference on Artistic Research, SAR Please Specify which was held on 28 & 29 April, 2017 at the Theatre Academy in Helsinki, Finland. Chapter One presents a selection of the acts of writing, observational texts, images and objects that constitute our research, serving to break down these activities and present the terms and conditions employed as a framework for activity. Focusing on the gestural and using Vilém Flusser’s concept of ‘pseudo writing’, it is an analysis of the interaction between the physical actions and the technologies of writing.
The three filmed workshops and performed acts of writing comment on the scribbled, digital and personal universes of writing. The body is revealed as a golden thread that connects these different areas of research.
Performances and workshops by Maria Christoforidou, Lizzie Ridout and Dion Star.
For more info: Ruukku Issue 8 – Various Writings: Chapter One
The three filmed workshops and performed acts of writing comment on the scribbled, digital and personal universes of writing. The body is revealed as a golden thread that connects these different areas of research.
Performances and workshops by Maria Christoforidou, Lizzie Ridout and Dion Star.
For more info: Ruukku Issue 8 – Various Writings: Chapter One
Performance (left): Various Lines, Sea of Text
Workshop (right): Various Lines by Axi-Draw
Workshop (right): Various Lines by Axi-Draw
Performance (left): Text Landscape
Workshop (right): Authorship Gestures (Third Hand)
Workshop (right): Authorship Gestures (Third Hand)
Performance (left): Writing Gaps; Curves, Holes and Darts
Workshop (right): Unencumbered Gestures
Workshop (right): Unencumbered Gestures
Book Identity: A Taxonomy
Submission of artworks and collections for the Moth 'Stuff' exhibition, organised by Ashely Rudolph and Nikki Salkeld. Exhibited alongside co-contributor Lizzie Ridout.