Typographic Jazz Opening Reception

Letterform Archive’s fourth gallery exhibition, Typographic Jazz: The Monoprints of Jack Stauffacher, explores Jack's experiments in inking and layering that led to an extraordinary body of monoprints, each one-of-a-kind.

This rarely-seen body of work demonstrates the masterful use (and misuse) of the tools at his disposal and the creative potential of letterpress with wood type. Through his use of abstraction, color, form, rotation, overprinting, ink manipulation, and transparency, Jack’s prints remind the viewer that design involves not only planning and precision but also randomness and spontaneity. Each piece reveals its own history and reminds us of the inherent human touch necessary in the making of art.

We invite you to join us at Letterform Archive to bask in these compelling images, enjoy tasty refreshments, and engage in delightful conversations with our staff and community.

Available at the event will be Only on Saturday: The Wood Type Prints of Jack Stauffacher. Featuring 500 images and essays by collaborators from the worlds of art and typography, it’s the first trade book to document this work. Also on sale will be our brand new Stauffacher stationery product, The Art of the Wood Type: 20 Unique Notecards & Envelopes.