City & Color: a Mobile Ink Factory Workshop

November 3, 2019 | 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Participants are given a short introduction to Jason Logan and the Toronto Ink Company, a history and definition of ink and ink making tools and an introduction to native and invasive weeds of Manhattan as well as other street harvested materials that can help make color from a city. Jason will give a short demonstration on making 2 or 3 kinds of ink.

We then will go on a little foraging expedition. Jason will talk about weeds, traditional dye materials, and other sources of city color. The class will also discuss the foraging code of ethics and hazards to avoid. Participants are given a collecting bag and encouraged to look for sources of color from leaves, roots, berries, branches and other finds. The class will supplement the foraging with flowers that work well for inkmaking.

The bulk of the workshop is a hands-on exploration of the materials and tools of inkmaking. Participants will learn and experiment with sorting, grinding, mixing, boiling, straining, binding and intensifying color from street harvested sources. Each participant will also be given a bottle and label to package, name, and define their encapsulation of a natural landscape. Finally participants will be given the opportunity to test out their inks on a variety of Japanese and European papers, and the group will share findings and experiences. Participants take home their own bottle of ink, a souvenir of place, time, materials, mood and newfound knowledge.

All ages welcome. Note: wear clothes that you don't mind staining.