MAGICAL RISO IV
by Jan van Eyck Academie
Magical Riso IV: The Magical Ocotopus edition was a four-day streamed seminar from 1–4 December 2020, organized by and run from Jan van Eyck Academie in Maastricht, The Netherlands.
It gathered 20 great artists and Riso printers who were interviewed by bibliophile and zinester Christopher Kardambikis about their practice and contribution to the Magical Octopus book.
The Magical Riso Biennale celebrates the vibrant nature of Risograph, also known as digital stencil printing by inviting the world’s leading Riso experts, publishers, designers and artists to the Jan van Eyck to share their knowledge, skills and experience. By organizing series of talks, lectures, workshops, book fairs and exhibitions, the event encourages to contemplate over matters of self-publishing as well as other affairs within the Riso printing and publishing discipline.
Risograph printing is highly appreciated for the quality, dynamism, and colour of its printed matter. Having the necessary facilities and expertise in house in our Printing & Publishing Lab, has allowed the academy, its participants and guests to gain a first-hand insight into materiality, spatiality and temporality of the practice, and birth award winning artists’ books, special editions and unique Risograph prints.
Taking place every two years, each edition of Magical Riso focuses on a different aspect of the Riso practice: creating fanzines, flyers and posters, investigating the technique in depth; dissecting its aesthetic qualities, formal histories, cultural contexts, and current significance.
Publishers present at Bergen Art Book Fair also participated in the event series and the book. Ann-Kristin Stølan, BABF, also took part in the panel of the event.
Check out the slow browsing of the book:
Day 1 of Magical Riso included:
Introduction by Jo Frenken, Jan van Eyck Academie
Moderator: Christopher Kardambikis
Short interview with Hicham Khalidi, director Jan van Eyck Academie
and Gérald Biersohn, sales director RISO Benelux
Interview: Jo Frenken, Magical Riso, the Octopus edition
Land of Angry Waves, presentation by Knockvologan Studies
Interview: Knockvologan Studies (Scotland), Q&A
Interview: Bananafish (China), Q&A
Interview: Calipso Press (Colombia), Q&A
Sugar Kelp Sweets, catering by Knockvologan Studies
Day 2 of Magical Riso included:
Moderator: Christopher Kardambikis
Interview: Corners Studio (South Korea), Q&A (see also their exhibitors page here)
Interview: Knust (Netherlands), Q&A (see also their exhibitors page here)
Reaping & Gathering, seaweed as protagonist in art- and film history by Miek Zwamborn
Interview: Gato Negro Ediciones (Mexico), Q&A
Interview: Issue Press (United States), Q&A (see also their exhibitors page here)
Fish in Seaweed Coat, catering by Knockvologan Studies
Interview: Hato Press (England), Q&A
Day 3 of Magical Riso included:
Moderator: Christopher Kardambikis
Interview: Hand Saw Press (Japan), Q&A
Interview: Kabinet Studio (Belgium), Q&A
Submerged, under water work and poetry by Miek Zwamborn
Interview: Endless Editions (United States), Q&A (see also their exhibitors page here)
Interview: Quintal Éditions (France), Q&A
Pepper Dulse Hung Curd, catering by Knockvologan Studies
Interview: Raum Press (Spain), Q&A
Day 4 of Magical Riso included:
Moderator: Christopher Kardambikis
Interview: Risolve (United States), Q&A
Interview: Sigrid Calon (Netherlands), Q&A
Symbiosis, mixed media by Miek Zwamborn
Ambidextrous Performance by Lars Siltberg
Interview: Wobby Club (Netherlands), Q&A
Interview: Jan van Eyck Academie (Netherlands) Alice/Margriet/Jo, Q&A
Carrageenan Cream, catering by Knockvologan Studies
Closing Magical Riso IV, Miek Zwamborn, Christopher Kardambikis & Jo Frenken