Times are tough for “analog,” or non-digital, media these days. Last year, Polaroid announced it was ending production of its namesake cameras and film. As supplies run thin, many enthusiasts are racing to find the last caches of film, and paying hefty prices for them.
Photo: Gretchin Lair
As personal computers make a easier and cheaper tool for self-publishing, enthusiasts are saying goodbye to another lesser-known, but equally-cherished product: Gocco. The Gocco is a tiny printing machine brought to us by the Japanese Riso company and a favorite of DIY printmakers. To find out more about the device and its demise, I spoke with two master Gocco printers at Portland’s Independent Publishing Resource Center, Gretchin Lair and Shu-Ju Wang.
“It’s a very easy to use silkscreen printing system that uses flash bulbs to expose pre-coated screens,” says Wang. “You can go from artwork, through exposure and inking, to print, in 5 minutes or less. It’s also very portable and suitable for small workspaces.” “I say the Gocco is magic!” adds Lair. “Its many geniuses include using non-toxic materials to print & clean up and the ability to print with multiple colors on the same screen (which avoids registrations hassles). ”
For a few years, Riso had been theatening the end of its product, and the Gocco community responded with a “Save Gocco” campaign that seemed to keep hope alive. The Wurst Gallery, an online gallery based out of Portland, held a show at the time to raise awareness and exhibit the work of local Gocco artists. But last Summer the last machines rolled off the line, with inks soon to follow.
I asked Lair and Wang a few more questions to see how they’re dealing with the final nail in Gocco’s coffin.
What is your favorite way to use Gocco?
Edible Gocco Crepes, Photo: Gretchin Lair
Shu-Ju Wang: I’m not sure that I can list ONE favorite way to use the Gocco, they’re all my favorites. You can do very ‘traditional’ Gocco printing — graphic images on card sized paper — this is very functional, very utilitarian. You can print a lot of greeting cards or business cards very quickly. But I also love the different ways you can expand beyond that — CMYK printing; printing over-sized prints (larger than the print bed will allow); printing with an open screen; printing on food using edible inks. I’ve used all of these techniques to create fine prints and artist’s books (well, except for the printing on food part). I’ve produced and editioned about 40 prints and artist’s books since 1999. Actually probably more. I love to teach the Gocco too. It’s always so priceless when you pull the first print and you hear everyone gasp.
Gretchin Lair: I love making cards, but I’ve probably printed on food more than I’ve printed on paper! For instance, I’ve printed a poem onto crepes for an “Edible Book Tea” party, and one year I printed a big bowl of “unnecessary” quotes onto mini pancakes for the IPRC Text Ball. Continue reading →
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