The first phase of the project was realized from the 1st of December 2007 to the 31st of October 2008, implementing the general objective of “Supporting the processes of development in Nicaragua by giving the cultural sector new impulses.”
The realized activities are the following
artisan paper Workshop
The objective of the workshop, held by the paper-engineer Juan Manuel Barbé, was to achieve an artistic work uniquely made of natural, unprocessed fibers.
Due to different application systems of the fiber in a wet condition results a basic sheet of paper. This out coming sheet runs through various habitual paper processes as pressing and drying. The result is an artistic work without more ingredients than natural fibers.
In this first phase of the project it was able to help the members of an artisan paper cooperation in Los Ángeles, Malacatoya as well, as they were able to improve the quality of their paper.
gravure workshop
The first gravure workshop, disposed by the artist and engraver Fernando Bellver, was based on: the development of the design, the superposition of this on a zinc plaque, the use of the graving tools (graver, dry pike, burnisher and cat’s tongue) and the acquisition and development of stamping with different types of paper.
serigraphy workshop
The first serigraphy workshop was imparted by the specialist Christian M. Walter. In the course the participants learned about all technical aspects of the process like: types of mesh, the fabrication of the image-displays, inks, substrates, stamping and others. Moreover they examined what means it can offer for the artistic practice. Special importance was put on the fact that with little technical resources and a lot of imagination one can achieve great results in serigraphy.