Vermillion Editions Limited at the Plains Art

By Jessica Verdi
Contributing Writer                                                                                                                                                                                            

Paris has the Louvre, New York has the MoMA, London has the Tate and Fargo has the Plains Art Museum. All of these institutions have brought some of the greatest works in art to the masses and our very own PAM is no exception. Starting on Saturday, the Plains will be showing one of their finest collections of prints from Minneapolis-based print studio Vermillion Editions Limited. The collection contains the work of some of the world’s most legendary artists of the second half of the 20th century and highlights the talent and enthusiasm of Vermillion’s master printer, Steve Andersen. A retrospective, the show not only covers the last 34 years of Limited’s operation, but the varying styles of work produced from artists who came from all over the globe to work with Anderson. In addition to the exhibit itself, there will also be an unveiling of a new print technique in the Hannaher’s Studio, which resides in the museum as well as a student print portfolio exchange showing the new styles and ideas of students from around the area.                                                                                                                                                               

Printmaking has a long history in the in the world of art, but has taken a backseat to other, more admired mediums such as painting, sculpture and photography. Since the development of paper around 105 C.E., people have been creating ways to transfer text and images onto paper. We take for granted the printers and scanners we have sitting on our desks that are able to reproduce copy after copy of anything we can imagine. Over the last 2000 years, the innovations of so many have not only advanced the graphic arts, but also created some of the most innovative methods of reproducing images and with them, some very impressive works of art. Luckily, for us, some of these works reside here in Fargo at the PAM.                                                                                       

Vermillion Editions Limited was and continues to be a Minneapolis-based print shop started by Osseo, Minnesota, native Steve Andersen. A technically minded and driven man, Andersen started Vermillion in 1977 after spending several years in New York working at a prominent fine-print publisher. Using the less expensive location of Minneapolis, his newly acquired skills as a master printer and his connections in the New York art world, Andersen attracted some of the best artists of the day. Jasper Johns, Joseph Beuys, Chuck Close and Red Grooms, just to name a few, all came to work with Andersen and whose works can be seen in this exhibit. Anderson acted as a translator for the artists, facilitating the process of idea to fruition. It was the heyday of printmaking in America, and Andersen was at the head of the parade.                                                                                                                                                                         

Woodcut, engraving, lithography and screen-printing all fall under the heading of printmaking. With such a wide array of techniques and processes, one may feel a bit intimidated by the technicalities that accompany a show of prints. Well, not to worry. Curator John Volk, head of the printmaking department at Minnesota State University Moorhead has set up stations throughout the exhibit explaining the different techniques employed by the artists in the pieces on display. Along with the traditional styles, some of the works in the show demonstrate the new techniques that were being developed at Vermillion. Whether it was blind intaglio, three-dimensional multiples or a combination of several techniques, the pieces in the show all embody the highly-creative atmosphere that was swirling around Vermillion in the ‘70’s and ‘80’s.                                                                                                                                                                           

Traditionally, a single process was used to create an image. Andersen began combining techniques giving the artist limitless freedom to create more than just a print, but rather a dimensional and tactile work of art. No longer bound by traditional methods, artists who came to Vermillion were able to realize complex compositions that were as intricate and multifaceted as any painting, collage or photograph. The important thing to note is that each color and each layer represents a single step in the overall process. This is perhaps the one characteristic that makes the process of printmaking and of the Vermillion prints in particular so ambitious. This may well be the defining characteristic of Vermillion and articulate the great talent and skill of Andersen and his staff.                                                 

The Vermillion Editions Limited exhibit is one of the most exciting the Plains Art Museum has had. The quality of the works, caliber of the artists and roots in the Midwest are a great reminder that you do not have to travel far to see great art. There is a terrific art scene thriving in the Fargo area and the Vermillion prints shows us that it has been going on for quite a while. I would encourage everyone to take in this exhibit, support our local fine-arts museum and experience exceptional art, worthy of New York or Paris, right here in Fargo.                                                                                   

Vermillion Editions Limited opens Feb. 5 and runs through May 29 at the Plains Art Museum. Gallery reception, gallery talk and demo will be held February 5th from 6:30-8:30 pm.

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IF YOU GO:

What: Vermillion Prints exhibit
When: Feb. 5 through May 29, reception on Feb. 5, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Where: Plains Art Museum, 704 First Avenue North,
 Fargo
More info: http://plainsart.org/visit/