ARTIST SCULPTS ORIGINAL PLATEN OUT OF PAPER

Korean artist Lee Ji-hee has recreated an iconic full-sized Heidelberg letterpress platen, made entirely from paper and card, in a marvellous tribute to the iconic press.

The paper Heidelberg Letterpress is a near exact replica of the original German model, which Lee Ji-hee carefully studied, before attempting her amazing project constructed from corrugated cardboard and paper.

The cardboard Heidelberg Letterpress took three months to build, and has been created to celebrate the long history of printing on Chungmuri and Euljiro streets in Seoul, streets traditionally full of printing operations, at the centre of Seoul's printing industry.

Ji-hee said, “Eulji-Ro Printing Street was the Mecca of the printing industry of Republic of Korea. People who wrote books and needed papers must have been to Eulji-Ro Printing Street at least once. Although the habit of reading books of citizens has been reducing from the past, the communication through the paper are still significantly meaningful. Paper printing medias must not stay in the role from the past, but will have to look for ways to the future with new changes.”

The original Heidelberg was first introduced to the world in 1914, and was manufactured for a remarkable 62 years, between 1923 and 1985. Although no longer being manufactured it is still in wide use for commercial and packaging print shops around the world, with many Aussie and Kiwi print businesses among them.

The finished sculpture which measures 1500 mm x 1800 mm x 1600 mm in size adds to the artist's portfolio which includes other cardboard creations such as an 8 metre cardboard train, paper flowers, food and shoes.

You can check ut all Ji-hee's work at www.jihee-paperwork.com or on instagram at insta_@edaeri11

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