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DEVFTO is defined as an institute to distinguish it from the other open printmaking studios in Indonesia. Our vision is to educate the public and art collectors about printmaking. We want to become a resource center sharing knowledge and experience.
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We are researching many technical aspects of the genre.
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For example, lithography (a process that uses a flat stone or metal plate on which the image areas are worked using a greasy substance so that the ink will adhere, while the non-image areas are made ink-repellent) has enormous variables and different elements. This requires expert education and guidance to achieve successful outcomes.
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We are investigating pigments, as the tropical biodiversity of Bali allows many resources to be drawn from.
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And we are also researching paper-making. The major barrier to the market’s growth is it is difficult to convince collectors to buy print works due to the deterioration of paper in the tropical humidity. The preservation of paper-based works begins with the correct framing techniques. Acid-free surfaces, laying the paper directly to plastic or aluminium and other seals are available and are cost-effective solutions.
Art printmaking has enormous potential in Indonesia. The genre, however, is not well developed due to a lack of education, equipment, materials and finance because it is an expensive genre to produce.
Indonesian culture, especially in Bali which has a colourful history. There are however enormous gaps in the development of Indonesian printmaking which DEVFTO cannot eradicate alone. Nevertheless, we can begin the process.