For this session, we have invited Yuan Yingzi, who uses the pseudonym “MesCut” for her personal creations. She employs woodcut printmaking techniques and ZINE formats to capture images inspired by everyday landscapes.
What landscapes does she focus on? How does she transform them into two-dimensional artworks? And what purpose drives her observational approach to creating these scenes?
MesCut’s theme regarding the folding art of ZINEs revolves around narrating how landscapes can be “folded” into a ZINE. During the sharing event, Yuan Yingzi will emphasize the structural aspects of book design and lightly touch upon the keyword “landscape observation.”
In the second part of the book club, Yingzi will share a few of her favorite books, such as “Shelter” and “The Locust Handbook.” These books blend diverse content in a humorous and engaging manner. Attendees at the event will have the chance to read and discuss these selections together. We welcome both new and returning readers to join our fifth session, where you’ll have the opportunity to meet Yuan Yingzi, who excels in the art of woodcut print creation. Details for signing up can be found at the end of the article.
Guest Speaker:
Yuan Yingzi (“MesCut”)
Date:
August 19th, Saturday 15:00-16:30
Location:
Banana Fish Bookstore 7 Ruby Road, Changning District, Shanghai
Event Planning:
Le Yang
Poster Design:
Qian Qian
MesCut (Suzhou)
Not Just Ordinary Landscapes!
MesCut is a woodcut printmaker based in Suzhou, aiming to capture landscapes from a perspective as sharp as a blade’s edge.
Part I:
List of Woodcut Print Artworks Shared:
“Objective Landscapes” & “Objective Landscapes: Erosion Edition”
The “Objective Landscapes” series is a thorough documentation of ordinary objects.
It offers an objective perspective, free from the filters of trendy content, capturing everyday items like mop heads, automated car washes, sausages, and turning them into landscapes.
The “Erosion Edition” takes islands as landmarks, observing the mutual erosion and symbiosis between the city and nature.
《The Shape of a Mountain》
This zine can be viewed from both sides:
On the front side, various techniques like collage, woodcut print, and sketches are used to organize the presence of mountains in nature. On the reverse side, triangular “street rockeries” from the cityscape are extracted, creating a contrasting comparison.
《Gel Scroll》&《Extended Landscape》
This series attempts to create a traditional landscape scroll using modern materials, such as incorporating woodcut prints into discarded film rolls. It becomes a pocket-sized piece of nature, taken out when urban life calls for a breath of fresh air.
“Extended Landscape” appears more like a 41cm-long ruler, containing five scenes folded into this instrument, concealed in the corners of a cluttered desk.
《Upstream Journey》
“Upstream Journey” describes the process of walking from a city’s highway along a creek all the way to a waterfall. The act of flipping through the pages simulates a spatial experience, capturing the journey.
《Bubble Ball》
A small booklet created using spray paint and woodcut prints, resembling an illustrated collection centered around bubbles.
Part II
A Glimpse into Yingzi’s Reading Preferences and Bookmaking Preferences
* “Shelter”
This is a book that intertwines narratives, news, letters, and illustrations in a non-linear arrangement, providing a comprehensive and intricate visual experience distinct from linear descriptions.
* “The Locust Handbook”
Not all ancient texts are about picturesque landscapes. This concise practical illustrated booklet teaches people how to catch locusts in the fields. Flipping through it is also quite humorous and entertaining.
More Photos
