Below the Sea by Leanna McAlpine

Nearly 27% of the Netherlands is below sea level with a vast network of polders and dykes keeping the North Sea at bay. Where the cyan and magenta shapes meet it reveals this immense area of land Below the Sea.

Extracted from real data and translated into a letterpress art print with two passes through the press. One for magenta and the other for cyan.

This print was set by hand with approx. 9,000 individual 10pt Kaba ornaments. The harmonious singular shape of the Kaba ornaments can be configured to generate a seemingly infinite combination of patterns. These ornaments were designed by Dutch typographer Bram de Does. Only one set exist in the world and can only be used with permission at Letterpress Amsterdam.

This was a self initiated project and completed with the support and guidance from Thomas Gravemaker at his studio Letterpress Amsterdam.

Details:
DIMENSIONS — A3 (297 x 420mm)
LIMITED EDITION — of 65 prints
DESIGN — Area below sea level in the Netherlands
TWO COLOUR PRINT — Cyan and Magenta
PAPER — 300gsm 100% Cotton (Gmund Eco certification)
PRODUCTION — Letterpress printed by hand on 1965 Korrex Hannover