Palimpsest (Prints)

Palimpsest is a series of generative artworks, created by Alex Russell. Before the widespread use of paper, manuscript pages were very expensive. When the writing or images on them were no longer needed, they were cleaned and then re-used. These recycled pages were called palimpsests. When the practice started, the cleaning methods weren’t particularly effective and the previous writing was often partially visible. In some cases, pages were cleaned and reused repeatedly, developing a rich texture from the remnants of early writing or images.
The idea that the surface that holds an image can have its own story has fascinated Alex for ages. The image could have a sort of archeology, either of previous images, or of its own development. Intrigued (as ever) by the possibility of making something digital that doesn’t look digital, Alex has crafted a series that generates one-off images of palimpsests. The code creates an output with ghosts of the hundreds of (asemic) writings, cleanings, coverings and crossings-out that lead to the final image. The code is written in Processing, running on a PC powered by electricity from 100% sustainable sources.

All Palimpsest prints are archive quality, professionally giclée printed in the UK on acid-free, museum paper. Alex Russell hand-signs each one.