Letterform Lecture, April 2, 2019 — Dive into the rich history of lettering, typography and print in Korea from antiquity to the present. We will begin by examining the influence of Chinese calligraphy, Buddhism and the rise of woodblock printing in early Korean print culture, followed by the invention of movable metal type and hangul (the Korean alphabet) during the Joseon dynasty. With the introduction of new print technology from the West and Japan, hangul and print media were quickly embraced by emerging political and social movements to help define notions of independence, democracy and modern identity. Finally, we will explore contemporary examples of Korean calligraphy, type and print design.
Lars Kim is a designer and letterpress printer living in San Francisco. After several years in architecture and new media, she unexpectedly stumbled upon a Heidelberg Windmill and rediscovered the tactile beauty of letterpress. Since then, she has deepened her passion for typography as well as the technical aspects of print and bookbinding, working on a wide range of commercial and private projects. She is a core instructor at the San Francisco Center for the Book and co-founder of Hanji Edition, a limited edition portfolio featuring fine art prints on hanji, Korean handmade paper. Lars also manages production at Logos Graphics and slings both pixels and ink in her freelance practice, Solsken Design.
Learn more: letterformarchive.org/events/survey-of-korean-calligraphy-typography-and-print