The historic art of printing which gave rise to modern graphic design and influenced social and political thinking will be explored through a pioneering new research centre.
Birmingham City University and the University of Birmingham are opening the Centre for Printing History and Culture which will see academics, curators and practitioners examine the history and influence of the art form.
Research at the Centre will look at the impact of printing on industrialisation, gender politics, the human mind and how the printed word brought about changes to the English language.
It will also examine the formation of print-based industries such as newspapers and how the art was used to support key events like the anti-fascist and anti-apartheid movements
The Centre will also provide education and training into the historic art and look at printing changes and trends spanning centuries and from across the globe.
Caroline Archer, Professor of Typography at Birmingham City University, said: “Birmingham is Britain’s most historically important centre of printing outside of London.
“Through its connections with John Baskerville, the famous printer, Birmingham became the centre of European printing during the mid-eighteenth century and is the ideal place for research into this culturally significant art form.
“For three centuries the city’s printers, type-founders, engravers, bookmakers, newspaper makers and typographic educators have combined to make the region not only a local but also national and international typographic force.”
The origins of printing not only led to the production of newspapers, magazines and books but are also responsible for modern graphic design, desktop publishing and word processing.
Birmingham has a rich printing heritage, having been the home of John Baskerville – one of the art’s most influential figures – and served as the heart of the practice in Europe during the mid-eighteenth century.
Dr Malcolm Dick, Director of the Centre for West Midlands History at the University of Birmingham, said: “The CPHC cements a strong working relationship between two great universities and gives a chance to look at the history of the printing both within the city and across the world.
“We are linking academic research and teaching with the activities of museums, libraries, businesses and individuals who are interested in print history and culture in Britain and beyond.
“The rare books and archives in the Cadbury Research Library and the printing press in Winterbourne at the University of Birmingham are superb local resources and give us the ideal foundation for this important research.”
The partnership will be marked with an exhibition of titled ‘Hopes and Dreams: Statements of intent explored’ which will be held at Birmingham City University’s Parkside Gallery between January 11 and February 12.
The exhibition organised alongside members of Letter Exchange will feature letters from history with political, artistic, religious or historic significance which provoke thought.
Research staff and students at Visual Communication form an integral part of BCU’s world-leading research output in the areas of Art & Design, English, Media, and Music & Performing Arts.
