The Historical Development of Cyanotype Technique from the Beginning to the Present and a Case Project: “Istanbul Blue”

Abstract

Cyanotype (blueprint / blue print) was discovered by astronomer and chemist John Frederick William Herschel in 1842. Cyanotype is a mixture of two different chemicals, ammonium ferric citrate and potassium ferric cyanide. The process of creating Cyanotype is as follows: these two chemicals are diluted in equal amounts according to a certain formula, and the prepared solution is brushed on a surface. Then, this surface (paper, fabric, wood) is exposed to ultraviolet light. Finally, the surface is cleaned with water. The first extensive use of cyanotype was in the 1950’s, in the field of botany. At the end of 19th Century, it was used to copy architectural plans. At the beginning of the 20th century, Cyanotypes started to take place in amateur photo albums. In the 1960’s, Cyanotype reemerged again during the alternative photography wave; a good example is Robert Rauschenberg’s body cyanotypes. Cyanotype, has been regularly used since 1960. Today, many artists prefer to use the cyanotype technique as an artistic creative method. Vicki Reed, Christian Marclay and Zhang Dali are among the artists who nowadays practice this technique in different contexts. In this context, in this article, the significant works of the history of cyanotype are examined by using a descriptive method. Next to this, the place of the cyanotype technique in today’s photography is discussed. Finally, a case study of this technique, named Istanbul Blue, is explained in detail.

Keywords

• Cyanotype,Photogram,Experimental photography,Botanical photography,Alternative photography techniques,Istanbul Blue

Başlangıcından Günümüze Cyanotype’ın Tarihsel Gelişimi ve Örnek Bir Proje: “Istanbul Mavisi”

Abstract

Cyanotype (blueprint/mavi baskı) 1842 yılında gökbilimci ve kimyager John Frederick William Herschel tarafından keşfedilmiştir. Cyanotype, demir amonyum sitrat ve potasyum ferri siyanür adlı iki kimyasalın karışımı ile oluşturulur. Uygulanışı şu şekildedir: Belirli formüllere göre sulandırılan bu iki kimyasal eşit miktarda karıştırılır ve bir yüzeye fırça ile sürülür. Yüzey (kâğıt, kumaş, ahşap vb.) ultraviyole ışıkta belirli bir süre pozlanır. Kimyasal uygulanan yüzey bu işlemden sonra su ile yıkanır. Cyanotype’ın ilk yaygın kullanımı 1850’lerde botanik alanında olmuştur. 19. yüzyılın sonunda mimari planların kopyalanması amacı ile de kullanılmıştır. Cyanotype 20. yüzyıl başında amatör fotoğraf albümlerinde yer almaya başlamıştır. Bu teknik 1960’lardaki alternatif fotoğraf dalgası sırasında, özellikle Robert Rauschenberg’in beden Cyanotype’ları ile yeniden gündeme gelmiştir. Cyanotype tekniği 1960’lardan günümüze kadar kullanılmaya devam edilmiştir. Günümüzde birçok sanatçı sanatsal yaratıcılıkları içinde Cyanotype yöntemini tercih etmektedir. Vicki Reed, Christian Marclay ve Zhang Dali günümüzde farklı bağlamlarda bu tekniği uygulayan sanatçılardan sadece birkaçıdır. Bu bağlamda çalışmada, Cyanotype tekniğinin tarihsel gelişimindeki önemli örnekler betimleyici yöntem ile incelenmiştir. Ayrıca, Cyanotype tekniğinin günümüzdeki fotoğraf sanatı içindeki yeri ve konumu tartışılmıştır. Çalışmada son olarak, bir uygulama projesi olarak gerçekleştirilen İstanbul Mavisi isimli çalışma ayrıntılarıyla anlatılmıştır.

Keywords

• Cyanotype,Fotogram,Deneysel fotoğraf,Botanik fotoğraf,Alternatif fotoğraf teknikleri,İstanbul Mavisi

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