/////////////////////
In September of 2009, I participated in the inaugural Experimental Typography symposium at the Univ of Cambridge. Together with poets, linguists, typographers, and philosophers, this was one of the most important events of my career and potentially a turning point for our field. The definition of experimental typography is still quite elusive. It's one of those terms that is easily understood but hard to define. On 12 September, the first step was taken and I was humbled to be a part of it...
Experimental Typography Symposium, 12 September, 2009
University of Cambridge, UK
An international programme of 6 symposia and workshops exploring experimental typography to be held over 2009-2011 with the inaugural event held at University of Cambridge, UK.
Keynote speakers are Professor Johanna Drucker, University of Virginia, USA and Professor Teal Triggs, London College of Communication, University of the Arts London. The event is organized by Cambridge School of Art at Anglia Ruskin University in association with the research unit for Information Environments, University of the Arts London.
The visual form of language is fundamental to a wide range of disciplines and critical perspectives beyond the accepted parameters of graphic design and typography. These range from the use of language in fine art contexts: sculpture, site-specific projects and installations, to experimental writing, concrete poetry, artist's books and other forms of visual text, and from time based media and digital environments to the letter crafts of calligraphy and lettercutting. While experimental work in this area forms a visual and literary continuum that can be traced through the twentieth century, its practitioners comprise disparate and autonomous communities of practice. The conference is designed to generate dialogue and collaboration across a range of disciplines which share a preoccupation with the visual aspect of written language. It will examine the current state of this field in practice, theoretically and in relation to wider social and cultural contexts.
The projected programme of symposia and workshops is to comprise five one-day events at locations in the UK, USA, Ireland and Poland, beginning with a one-day symposium in Cambridge on September 12, 2009. The programme will conclude with a three-day conference in Cambridge in July 2011
///////////////////// ABSTRACT ////////// VAN DYKE ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
In my mind, experimental typography exists out of the paradox that emerges from Design's inherent need for exploration and the rigidity of language systems. It is the pursuit of discovery in an area that has been concretized out of a necessity for clarity. My work is an obsessive pursuit of quantifiable evidence of value from forms of communication that are proportionate to the complexity of our minds.
The first step is understanding the relevance of Flux. Heisenberg's uncertainty principle states that anything that can be measured is subject to truly random fluctuations. Language is a rigid convention, flirting with a state of maximum entropy within a closed system. Heisenberg proves the relevance of Flux through the implication that nature will always interfere with absolute control, regardless of our need to simplify.
My approach consists of improvised exhibitions of fragmented, dissected narratives and cryptic autobiographical rants. Improv is a useful tool to inspire doubt, high-energy and the unpredictable results that respond intuitively to space. This practice provides unexpected opportunities but poses a problem with achieving closure. The answers may be littered along the journey and none in the destination — I can comprehend the value but without articulation. This leads me to believe that the results are beyond language. I'm working toward exposing more of the iceberg including parts of the human psyche that are often reserved for daydreams. It provides the capacity to explore communication’s breaking points in hopes of renegotiating our ability to comprehend language that exceeds communication.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Symposium Venue; Clare College at Cambridge
Gillespie Center; Clare College at Cambridge
Kings College at Cambridge
Kings College at Cambridge
Kings College at Cambridge
Kings College at Cambridge
Lunch Time; Kings College at Cambridge
The after party; The Anchor on Silver Street