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Preface, from Wordswordswords

A work made of letterpress in red and blind embossing from one plate on ivory wove paper, folded.

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  • A work made of letterpress in red and blind embossing from one plate on ivory wove paper, folded.

Date:

1967–68

Artist:

Edwin Schlossberg (American, born 1945)
Robert Rauschenberg (American, 1925-2008)
printed by Donn Steward and Fred Genis
letterpress hand-set and hand-printed by Christopher Pullman
published by Universal Limited Art Editions (American, founded 1955)

About this artwork

Characterized as an author, painter, poet, philosopher, gamesman, scientist, inventor, and teacher, Edwin Schlossberg saw his life’s work as getting people to think for themselves. In Wordswordswords, he deliberately ignored some of the basic rules of printing in order to make reading a physical act. Wordswordswords is a virtual “what not to do” in printmaking: misalignment, misspelling, reversals, accidental masking, creased paper, blind embossing, and fragmented letters. Of this piece Schlossberg said, “I hope they see the words, and then I hope they see themselves.”

Status

Currently Off View

Department

Prints and Drawings

Artist

Edwin Schlossberg

Title

Preface, from Wordswordswords

Place

United States (Artist's nationality:)

Date  Dates are not always precisely known, but the Art Institute strives to present this information as consistently and legibly as possible. Dates may be represented as a range that spans decades, centuries, dynasties, or periods and may include qualifiers such as c. (circa) or BCE.

1967–1968

Medium

Letterpress in red and blind embossing from one plate on ivory wove paper, folded

Dimensions

Image: 27 × 36.2 cm (10 11/16 × 14 5/16 in.); Unfolded sheet: 28.1 × 43.1 cm (11 1/8 × 17 in.)

Credit Line

U.L.A.E. Collection acquired through a challenge grant of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Dittmer; purchased with funds provided by supporters of the Department of Prints and Drawings; Centennial Endowment; Margaret Fisher Endowment Fund

Reference Number

1982.558d

Extended information about this artwork

Object information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. To help improve this record, please email . Information about image downloads and licensing is available here.

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