The "doka voor edele procedes" (translate the darkroom for noble
processes) is ready to be officially opened.
Academie Sint-Joost of Breda/NL should be a pretty good place for the
initiation to alternative processes.
The room contains:
A "wet place" with facilities for gum-print, ferric processes, etc.
A special table with a very strong vacuum ventilation for the mixing of
chemicals.
An U.V.exposure-unit with vacuum.
A drying room (horizontal or vertical drying).
In a first phase the stock of chemicals will permit the production of
gum-print, kallitype, cyanotype up to 60x80cm. When grown-up the place will
be used for more expensive techniques such as platinum.
The graphic-art department owns a dusting-box for asphalt powder and
facilities for photogravure.
The graphic design department owns a Linotype graphic film writer. I
consider personally that the link between digital imaging and alternative
processes has to be stimulated. Alternative processes can increase the
quality of digital outputs (by enlarging the choice of backings such as
hand-made papers, wood, etc.). Digital creation or manipulation (I hate
this word) of negatives is a solution to replace the nearly dead graphic
film (Agfa?) via the use of a film writer. That's the reason why, intensive
tests are going to be made with a Linetronic (3200dpi) machine as 12
inches-wide source of fine-raster negatives.
I know that "digital negatives" has been a common subject-line on the list
for a while, but I shall still be very receptive to good suggestions from
people who had had interesting result using this technique.
Another aspect is the security of the place. Students who would like to
work in the laboratorium are obliged to sign a register, after reading a
text which asks to wear protection glasses and gloves when needed.
Labelling of bottles is strictly verified. Bottles without label are send
to the chemical recycling unit.
Hazards are clearly stipulated on posters on the walls and in books
contained in the chemical cupboard.
Special risks (dichromate, formaline...) are once more verbally explained.
I would also like to know if the security procedures are different in other
schools.
philippe
*** Special thanks to: Bob, David, Ginger, Jack, Klaus, Marc, Pascal,
Russell, Terry...
for their support.
philippe moroux (URL= http://utopia.knoware.nl/users/philippe/)
r. van goensstraat 71, 2593 EG - den haag / the netherlands
tel: +31 (70)3478613 fax:+31(76)5250305 e: philippe@knoware.nl
academie sint-joost / the netherlands photography department