University News Last updated 07 January 2016
Birmingham’s historic connection with the printed word will be uncovered through a new academic partnership between two of the city’s universities.
The Centre for Printing History and Culture, a joint initiative between Birmingham City University and the University of Birmingham, will see academics, curators, librarians and printers form a unique team.
Research will be carried out into the history and culture of printing, both in the city and across the world, as well as providing education and training into the centuries old art and practice.
Scholars will look at changes in style from the origins of the practice to today and examine the advancements in art and technology which sparked the formation of print-based industries such as newspapers and publishers.
Academics will be taking on projects including; how the printed word allowed women to raise questions of gender, printers and press freedom in modern Britain and changes to the Midlands printing industry during the industrial revolution.
The Centre will also link back to the Birmingham’s eighteenth century heritage as the heart of European printing and explore how key city figures like John Baskerville helped shape the industry.
Baskerville, a celebrated printer, has a popular typeface named after him to this day including that used on a sculpture commemorating his work, erected outside Centenary Square’s eponymous Baskerville House.
“Through its connections with John Baskerville, the famous printer, Birmingham became the centre of European printing during the mid-18th century.
“For three centuries the city’s printers, type-founders, engravers, bookmakers, newspaper makers and typographic educators have combined to make the region not only a local but also national and international typographic force.”
As part of the centre’s work research will be carried out into mid-20th century typography figure Beatrice Warde using archives at the University of Birmingham which have never been used before.
Dr Malcolm Dick, Director of the Centre for West Midlands History at the University of Birmingham, said: “The CPHC cements a strong working relationship between two of Birmingham’s great universities.
“Starting from a regional base, we are linking academic research and teaching with the activities of museums, libraries, businesses and individuals who are interested in print history and culture in Britain and beyond.
“The rare books and archives in the Cadbury Research Library and the printing press in Winterbourne at the University of Birmingham are superb local resources. The CPHC is a major enterprise for both universities and the people of Birmingham.”
The partnership will be marked with an exhibition of titled ‘Hopes and Dreams: Statements of intent explored’ which will be held at Birmingham City University’s Parkside Gallery between January 11 and February 12.
The exhibition organised alongside members of Letter Exchange will feature letters from history with political, artistic, religious or historic significance which provoke thought.
Research staff and students at Visual Communication form an integral part of our world-leading research output in the areas of art and design, English, media, and music and performing arts.
For more information visit: The Centre for Printing History and Culture website