Summer of Inspiration: Artist Date Week 11

The art of screen printing has always mystified me. There were so many different materials needed to get started, from the screen itself to the lamp for UV exposure. I couldn't understand the process, even though I could have easily searched "how to screen print" and gotten a step-by-step process on how to do so.

After attending the School of Radical Attention's screen printing workshop, I can firmly say that I'm familiar with the process, although mainly with the printing aspect. I have yet to experience making a design on a screen, which is now on my bucket list of things to try.

The workshop supplied us with all the materials needed to make a poster, inviting us to bring additional tote bags or a t-shirt to print on. Led by Francesca Barr, she introduced us to the essay, Screen Printing The Uprising: Inside Beirut’s Artistic Revolution, by Lebanese graphic designer and activist Farah Fayyad. Together as a group, we printed the essay on poster paper one by one before taking a break to read the essay. First by ourselves, then together as a group. The break served as a moment of reflection on screen printing as a tool for resistance, but also provided ample time for our first layer to dry. The second round of printing was to superimpose an image of the unfinished movie theater referenced in the essay, known as the Egg. The site served as a landmark of resistance in the city of Beirut during the October 2019 protests.

What surprised me the most was how physical screen printing was. The best results come from putting one foot firmly in front of the other and white knuckling the squeegee while spreading the ink from top to bottom and back up. I could feel my core, shoulder, legs, and arms engaged throughout the process.

I also understood how screen printing tied into attention activism as it required your full attention, both mentally and physically. It engages all your senses to ensure that your print comes out evenly with no smudges.

On October 23, I went to a roadblock demonstration anxious and uncomfortable. So when my friend Siwar came up to me and proposed that we set up a screen-printing station to print t-shirts, I left with her immediately. We ran down to Salim’s, and on the way managed to gather five artworks by friends of ours. Lettered Arabic slogans and some illustrations. Salim helped us prepare the screens, mobile printing table, and the inks and sent us off.

Massive crowds gathered around us. People of all ages and backgrounds wanted to see how screen-printing works. They would take off their clothes for us to print on and ask questions while the ink dried. We were printing for free and right at the heart of the gatherings, so our little set-up became this public space within which we can organize and discuss and produce.

The above is from Farah Fayyad's essay, which showed me how screen printing can become a community tool for resistance. Once the screen has been created, all you need is a printing table, inks, and materials to print on for mass production. I love learning how art practices can intersect with political movements, because everything is political.

This summer, I made it a point to venture outside my comfort zone and try new things that I haven't had the opportunity to do before. My takeaways are:

• Before diving into something new, the thought of it is always scarier in my head. Once I actually go and experience it for myself, I always have a good time.
• Go into everything with an open mind and curiosity. It's better not to have expectations because then I find myself pleasantly surprised every time.
• Creativity materializes in many different shapes and forms for everyone. I don't need to be artsy to do artsy things.
• It's fun to meet new people without the expectation of forming friendships. Friendships take time and consistency, so unless I sign up for a weekly class that spans 6 months, a friendship may not blossom.
• Trying new things means learning new things about myself. I've learned that art puts me into a flow state, and I want to do more of it.