Artist Tyree Callahan has taken a 1937 Underwood Standard typewriter and transformed it into something a little special called the Chromatic Typewriter. This innovative device allows you to type a painting onto paper, using colors rather than the traditional letters associated with a typewriter. The Chromatic Typewriter is a 2012 West Prize Entry.
The Concept Behind the Chromatic Typewriter
The idea behind the Chromatic Typewriter is both simple and revolutionary. By replacing the traditional ink ribbons with colored paint pads, Callahan has created a device that can produce vibrant, colorful images with the press of a key. Each key on the typewriter corresponds to a different color, allowing the artist to “type” a painting. This unique approach to art challenges the conventional boundaries between writing and visual art, creating a new medium that blends the two.
Callahan explains:
“The 2012 West Collects ‘West Prize Competition’ is off and running. The little Chromatic Typewriter is out in the world and the feedback has been great. I’ve decided to re-type my artist statement with the thing. It ought to be equally decipherable as any other I’ve read lately.
I’m super excited about it. The reaction to the piece has been pretty special. It seems to be making a lot of people happy and it has started some great discussions on the translation of art into words and words into art. And folks with synesthesia seem to like it the most!”
Impact and Future Potential
The Chromatic Typewriter is still just a prototype at the moment, and after each typed painting, you must manually refill the colors that correspond to the keys. Despite this limitation, the device has garnered significant attention and praise. Callahan has priced his creation at $3,000-$5,000, reflecting both the uniqueness and the potential of this innovative tool.
The Chromatic Typewriter has sparked conversations about the intersection of art and technology. It has also intrigued individuals with synesthesia, a condition where one sense is simultaneously perceived as if by one or more additional senses. For these individuals, the blending of colors and the tactile experience of typing can create a multi-sensory artistic experience.
Moreover, the Chromatic Typewriter opens up new possibilities for artists and writers alike. Imagine a poet who can illustrate their verses with colors that evoke the emotions of their words, or a painter who can create detailed images with the precision of a typewriter. The potential applications are vast and varied, limited only by the imagination of the user.
Even though there is only one Chromatic Typewriter available at the moment, its existence has already made a significant impact on the art world. It challenges traditional notions of what a typewriter can be and what it can do, pushing the boundaries of creativity and innovation.
For more information about the Chromatic Typewriter, you can visit Callahan’s website.
Source: DVICE : Callahan
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