Film Positive
Film Positive is a term which in the context of printing and graphics refers to a clear plastic sheet bearing the positive of the image to be reproduced. In traditional printing practices like offset lithography and screen printing, film positives were very important. In times when analog printing was used, film positives were essential in the accurate reproduction of artwork on the printing plates or screens.
Prominent artists and designers such as Andy Warhol and Barbara Kruger have utilized film positives in their art which demonstrates its relevance in the art world. Andy Warhol, one of the major figures in the Pop Art movement, made use of film positives in his mass produced silkscreen prints that reflected consumer culture. Barbara Kruger, a text based artwork specialist, used them to construct powerful images that questioned accepted ideas and the power structure of society.
Even though digital technologies have now largely supplanted traditional film positives in contemporary line of work, their historical importance as well as technical nuance of design pose an interesting challenge to designers and artist wanting to explore the history of graphic design and traditional printing methods.
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