The STATE OF PRINT is a proposition. An evolving visual declaration initiated by a collective of artists beguiled and amused by the catastrophe of current social political thinking and the comedy of established systems of governance. The STATE OF PRINT explores the current state of nations and the notion that everything that formalises a nation state is printed – currency, maps, laws, passports, governance, news and information etc. At a time when ‘the current state’ of nation power globally is inflexible and dogmatic, this project provides a creative and theoretical antidote to the current paradigm.

 

The State was founded during a residency at the Tyrone Guthrie Centre, Monaghan, Ireland in October 2016 and has since been manifest in a variety of forms and a series of locations. These have included Dundee, Aberdeen, Santander (Impact 10), Barcelona, Norwich, Preston, Cork, Limerick and most recently, presented online at the Impact 11 Conference, Hong Kong. The state has expanded at each manifestation to incorporate an increasing range of artworks and artefacts produced by the initial founders and an incrementally increasing number of contributing artists who have elected to become citizens of the state – and currently number over 100. These artefacts include not only the documentary material such as photographs, films, recordings and reviews of the series of performative events/exhibitions but also the artefacts of the state such as printed currency, passports, flags, maps, ceremonial medals newspapers and public information material. Additional items also include cultural artefacts such as the, National Costume, National Anthem and Eurovision entry as well as games and animations based on state myths. This material is currently being reconfigured and accessioned into the State Archives of the State Museum – to be published in the near future.

 

This publication also marks the start of the next phase or era of the STATE OF PRINT. It is proposed that this will include a series of projects that explore the issues and topics that have arisen through these initial interactions, interventions and interogations. One such theme that has emerged is around the idea of ‘Contested Spaces’ and the ‘Nature of Territory’. The STATE OF PRINT will be inviting current citizens and guests to participate in this future action. …. Please watch this space…. For the Call to Print…