Matthew Magruder
Austin, TX
www.copelopress.com

ZERO DEGREES
2024
Photogravure, letterpress, book arts
18x9x5

Artist Statement

A piece surrounding the grand and intimate landscapes at 0º latitude—the Galápagos Islands.

This project includes 5 polymer photogravures that are 5” x 16” printed Chine collé with Gampi-shi warm tissue and Hahnemühle Copperplate bright white printmaking paper with Charbonnel Black and Cerulean Blue ink. Each print has below it a title with GPS coordinates for the location of the photograph as well as the plate number.

The prints are mounted in 2 folios: a three-panel Z-accordion that includes Plates I, III, and V; and a above and below folio that includes Plates II and IV. The series includes 4 grand landscapes (Plates I, II, IV, and V) and 1 intimate landscape (Plate III).

The folios are housed in a stacked slipcase with a short side opening for the 3 panel and a long side opening for the 2 panel. The colophon is placed on the wall of the short side and the titling on the cover has dots printed in black and roman numerals printed in gold indicating the GPS locations of the photos. A thin strip of brass is recessed into the outer case to indicate the Equator and is continued on the back of the outer case as well.