Abstract:
A relationship between art and technology has existed since man first
used his hands to make objects and images both functional and aesthetic.
Generally speaking, before the Industrial Revolution that relationship
was accepted as natural and fundamental to progress. But since the
explosion of scientific information and related technology it appears
to have gone awry. The resultant discord and imbalance is clearly
reflected in the history of printmaking. Printing first made its
appearance in 15th century Europe at the beginning of a new era in
Western culture. From humble beginnings it developed and flourished
as an industry to meet the demand for exactly repeatable images both
typographical and pictorial. From the first century of its existence
printing was also used by artists who realised that, in addition to its
economic and informative value and potential, the medium could be used
for creative visual expression.
