Katie Knight’s Cyanotype prints and fabric sculptures

Katie Knight’s Cyanotype prints and fabric sculptures http://www.katieknight.net/Site/Projects/Pages/Cyanotypes.html The cyanotype process has captivated me with its magic and immediacy. Sensitivity. Sunlight. Time. Touch. Water. Photography without a camera, the cyanotype process and the symbols suggested by objects give me a way to create visual metaphors for my concerns. At a time when most photo processes have become highly electronic, I enjoy the playfulness of making one-of-a-kind, direct contact prints outdoors in the sunshine. I print on paper or on fabric, with a fondness for silk. Its various textures influence transparency, saturation, and how the cloth hangs. After concocting the emulsion and coating it onto paper or cloth, I find myself making nests of natural materials, arranging them onto the sensitized surfaces. Watching birds and animals make their nests during my spring residency at the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts, I began composing nests as an expression of my interest in shelter. I layer the objects over the course of the exposure, playing with both time and distance from the surface. I can use the cyanotypes on fabric to construct sculptural forms that become nest-like houses. Alternatively, I can build them into boats that drift in air currents, whimsical or haunted with the spirits invoked by images. Whether on paper or fabric, these delicate blue prints reflect the fragility of our blue planet, our dependence upon sunlight and water, and the vitality of dancing lightly with nature. Katie Knight © 2008 photographs, writing, and web design Enchanted Forest cyanotype on paper http://www.katieknight.net/Site/Projects/Pages/Cyanotypes.html#0 6e0e37ce-057a-402a-8d1c-9902edea0ddc http://www.katieknight.net/Site/Projects/Pages/Cyanotypes_files/Media/enchantedforest.jpg?derivative=thumb http://www.katieknight.net/Site/Projects/Pages/Cyanotypes_files/Media/enchantedforest.jpg?derivative=micro

http://www.katieknight.net/Site/Projects/Pages/Cyanotypes_files/Media/enchantedforest.jpg?derivative=mip

<div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Enchanted Forest <br/></p><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; " class="Caption">cyanotype on paper</p></div></div> Forest Dance cyanotype on paper http://www.katieknight.net/Site/Projects/Pages/Cyanotypes.html#1 ddc2e9df-5b22-433f-ab01-78210be0fb7a http://www.katieknight.net/Site/Projects/Pages/Cyanotypes_files/Media/10Knight.jpg?derivative=thumb http://www.katieknight.net/Site/Projects/Pages/Cyanotypes_files/Media/10Knight.jpg?derivative=micro

http://www.katieknight.net/Site/Projects/Pages/Cyanotypes_files/Media/10Knight.jpg?derivative=mip

<div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Forest Dance <br/></p><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; " class="Caption">cyanotype on paper</p></div></div> Katie arranges materials on the sensitized fabric. http://www.katieknight.net/Site/Projects/Pages/Cyanotypes.html#2 6fbd8af9-9a05-46c6-bba9-56a6551d0bd0 http://www.katieknight.net/Site/Projects/Pages/Cyanotypes_files/Media/DSCN2451.jpg?derivative=thumb http://www.katieknight.net/Site/Projects/Pages/Cyanotypes_files/Media/DSCN2451.jpg?derivative=micro

http://www.katieknight.net/Site/Projects/Pages/Cyanotypes_files/Media/DSCN2451.jpg?derivative=mip

<div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Katie arranges materials on the sensitized fabric.</p></div></div> Katie makes multiple exposures in the sunlight. http://www.katieknight.net/Site/Projects/Pages/Cyanotypes.html#3 1eac452f-608f-4087-9be3-a80cbef32fa3 http://www.katieknight.net/Site/Projects/Pages/Cyanotypes_files/Media/DSCN2457.jpg?derivative=thumb http://www.katieknight.net/Site/Projects/Pages/Cyanotypes_files/Media/DSCN2457.jpg?derivative=micro

http://www.katieknight.net/Site/Projects/Pages/Cyanotypes_files/Media/DSCN2457.jpg?derivative=mip

<div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Katie makes multiple exposures in the sunlight.</p></div></div> Katie’s studio at the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts. http://www.katieknight.net/Site/Projects/Pages/Cyanotypes.html#4 69e5a0e4-501f-4cd6-b665-6602e6952880 http://www.katieknight.net/Site/Projects/Pages/Cyanotypes_files/Media/studio1VCCA.jpg?derivative=thumb http://www.katieknight.net/Site/Projects/Pages/Cyanotypes_files/Media/studio1VCCA.jpg?derivative=micro

http://www.katieknight.net/Site/Projects/Pages/Cyanotypes_files/Media/studio1VCCA.jpg?derivative=mip

<div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Katie’s studio at the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts.</p></div></div> Nest house detail cyanotype on silk http://www.katieknight.net/Site/Projects/Pages/Cyanotypes.html#5 8c530cc7-5f25-4a0e-849d-7065677b0374 http://www.katieknight.net/Site/Projects/Pages/Cyanotypes_files/Media/nest%20house%20detail.jpg?derivative=thumb http://www.katieknight.net/Site/Projects/Pages/Cyanotypes_files/Media/nest%20house%20detail.jpg?derivative=micro

http://www.katieknight.net/Site/Projects/Pages/Cyanotypes_files/Media/nest%20house%20detail.jpg?derivative=mip

<div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Nest house detail <br/></p><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; " class="Caption">cyanotype on silk</p></div></div> Nest House cyanotype on silk http://www.katieknight.net/Site/Projects/Pages/Cyanotypes.html#6 cf3bfdd1-9b06-49e1-b65d-75e68c6ad7b4 http://www.katieknight.net/Site/Projects/Pages/Cyanotypes_files/Media/09Knight.jpg?derivative=thumb http://www.katieknight.net/Site/Projects/Pages/Cyanotypes_files/Media/09Knight.jpg?derivative=micro

http://www.katieknight.net/Site/Projects/Pages/Cyanotypes_files/Media/09Knight.jpg?derivative=mip

<div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Nest House<br/></p><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; " class="Caption">cyanotype on silk</p></div></div> Exposures are built up in layers; this one begins with carrots. http://www.katieknight.net/Site/Projects/Pages/Cyanotypes.html#7 8728da81-f99b-431c-835d-48808df664a9 http://www.katieknight.net/Site/Projects/Pages/Cyanotypes_files/Media/DSCN9882.jpg?derivative=thumb http://www.katieknight.net/Site/Projects/Pages/Cyanotypes_files/Media/DSCN9882.jpg?derivative=micro

http://www.katieknight.net/Site/Projects/Pages/Cyanotypes_files/Media/DSCN9882.jpg?derivative=mip

<div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Exposures are built up in layers; this one begins with carrots.</p></div></div> During the exposure, Katie added small bones. http://www.katieknight.net/Site/Projects/Pages/Cyanotypes.html#8 be818b99-4b65-450d-8ae3-1638e430cc96 http://www.katieknight.net/Site/Projects/Pages/Cyanotypes_files/Media/DSCN9883.jpg?derivative=thumb http://www.katieknight.net/Site/Projects/Pages/Cyanotypes_files/Media/DSCN9883.jpg?derivative=micro

http://www.katieknight.net/Site/Projects/Pages/Cyanotypes_files/Media/DSCN9883.jpg?derivative=mip

<div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">During the exposure, Katie added small bones.</p></div></div> Carrots and bone removed, ferns cast their shadows. http://www.katieknight.net/Site/Projects/Pages/Cyanotypes.html#9 cd6b42cd-e1a1-4a6f-b30c-5bd3ede0b1e0 http://www.katieknight.net/Site/Projects/Pages/Cyanotypes_files/Media/DSCN9884.jpg?derivative=thumb http://www.katieknight.net/Site/Projects/Pages/Cyanotypes_files/Media/DSCN9884.jpg?derivative=micro

http://www.katieknight.net/Site/Projects/Pages/Cyanotypes_files/Media/DSCN9884.jpg?derivative=mip

<div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Carrots and bone removed, ferns cast their shadows.</p></div></div> The final print shows evidence of interwoven materials. http://www.katieknight.net/Site/Projects/Pages/Cyanotypes.html#10 2bfc309c-cac7-4107-ab49-19bbbdd7ae6e http://www.katieknight.net/Site/Projects/Pages/Cyanotypes_files/Media/DSCN1419.jpg?derivative=thumb http://www.katieknight.net/Site/Projects/Pages/Cyanotypes_files/Media/DSCN1419.jpg?derivative=micro

http://www.katieknight.net/Site/Projects/Pages/Cyanotypes_files/Media/DSCN1419.jpg?derivative=mip

<div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">The final print shows evidence of interwoven materials.</p></div></div> Spirit Boat in studio at VCCA http://www.katieknight.net/Site/Projects/Pages/Cyanotypes.html#11 e18559a5-e9aa-4648-a521-e67236483ba7 http://www.katieknight.net/Site/Projects/Pages/Cyanotypes_files/Media/boatretouch.jpg?derivative=thumb http://www.katieknight.net/Site/Projects/Pages/Cyanotypes_files/Media/boatretouch.jpg?derivative=micro

http://www.katieknight.net/Site/Projects/Pages/Cyanotypes_files/Media/boatretouch.jpg?derivative=mip

<div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Spirit Boat in studio at VCCA</p></div></div> Spirit Boat memorializes a Colombian community leader. http://www.katieknight.net/Site/Projects/Pages/Cyanotypes.html#12 111361a6-e749-4c67-b5fd-6b11489af313 http://www.katieknight.net/Site/Projects/Pages/Cyanotypes_files/Media/SpiritBoatInterior.jpg?derivative=thumb http://www.katieknight.net/Site/Projects/Pages/Cyanotypes_files/Media/SpiritBoatInterior.jpg?derivative=micro

http://www.katieknight.net/Site/Projects/Pages/Cyanotypes_files/Media/SpiritBoatInterior.jpg?derivative=mip

<div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Spirit Boat memorializes a Colombian community leader.</p></div></div> Spirit Boat detail reveals a portrait of Wilson Garcia. http://www.katieknight.net/Site/Projects/Pages/Cyanotypes.html#13 8ab3d29b-e480-4683-993b-2b58fd2f1644 http://www.katieknight.net/Site/Projects/Pages/Cyanotypes_files/Media/SpiritBoatDetail.jpg?derivative=thumb http://www.katieknight.net/Site/Projects/Pages/Cyanotypes_files/Media/SpiritBoatDetail.jpg?derivative=micro

http://www.katieknight.net/Site/Projects/Pages/Cyanotypes_files/Media/SpiritBoatDetail.jpg?derivative=mip

<div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Spirit Boat detail reveals a portrait of Wilson Garcia.</p></div></div> Counterbalanced by water cyanotype on silk and cotton http://www.katieknight.net/Site/Projects/Pages/Cyanotypes.html#14 0b7a9d79-e212-4aeb-98b8-81ebf28163c0 http://www.katieknight.net/Site/Projects/Pages/Cyanotypes_files/Media/07Knight.jpg?derivative=thumb http://www.katieknight.net/Site/Projects/Pages/Cyanotypes_files/Media/07Knight.jpg?derivative=micro

http://www.katieknight.net/Site/Projects/Pages/Cyanotypes_files/Media/07Knight.jpg?derivative=mip

<div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Counterbalanced by water<br/></p><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; " class="Caption">cyanotype on silk and cotton</p></div></div> Give me a home; cyanotype on paper, ceramic, wood, encaustic http://www.katieknight.net/Site/Projects/Pages/Cyanotypes.html#15 ec3cef54-841b-45e3-a011-3669be911e20 http://www.katieknight.net/Site/Projects/Pages/Cyanotypes_files/Media/12Knight.jpg?derivative=thumb http://www.katieknight.net/Site/Projects/Pages/Cyanotypes_files/Media/12Knight.jpg?derivative=micro

http://www.katieknight.net/Site/Projects/Pages/Cyanotypes_files/Media/12Knight.jpg?derivative=mip

<div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Give me a home; cyanotype on paper, ceramic, wood, encaustic</p></div></div> Hammer and Bell; cyanotype on paper, ceramic, wood, encaustic http://www.katieknight.net/Site/Projects/Pages/Cyanotypes.html#16 74b7c9a1-2e34-499c-887a-0da55b4d5a24 http://www.katieknight.net/Site/Projects/Pages/Cyanotypes_files/Media/11Knight.jpg?derivative=thumb http://www.katieknight.net/Site/Projects/Pages/Cyanotypes_files/Media/11Knight.jpg?derivative=micro

http://www.katieknight.net/Site/Projects/Pages/Cyanotypes_files/Media/11Knight.jpg?derivative=mip

<div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_0_0"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Hammer and Bell; cyanotype on paper, ceramic, wood, encaustic</p></div></div> Gallery of Visual Arts Installation cyanotype on silk and cotton http://www.katieknight.net/Site/Projects/Pages/Cyanotypes.html#17 66d95830-15dd-4ea4-ae64-9003eb9e2f82 http://www.katieknight.net/Site/Projects/Pages/Cyanotypes_files/Media/08Knight.jpg?derivative=thumb http://www.katieknight.net/Site/Projects/Pages/Cyanotypes_files/Media/08Knight.jpg?derivative=micro

http://www.katieknight.net/Site/Projects/Pages/Cyanotypes_files/Media/08Knight.jpg?derivative=mip