Background of seaweed pressing:
Biologists press samples of seaweeds for herbariums; historically seaweed
was pressed for identification by enthusiasts and botany hobbyists; and
women in particular during the Victorian era pressed seaweed to use
decoratively. These pressings have been preserved from as long as one
hundred years and have been found at flea markets and in private
collections.
Our Process
All
seaweed prints and
original seaweed pressings are created in-house by Coastal Prezence. We gather the raw materials, work out the designs, cut the matts,
and do the packaging ourselves. This involved process begins with the
gathering of appropriate seaweed species. Very little of the seaweeds we
find washed upon the shore is actually of design quality; which makes it
necessary for us to be constantly on the look out for suitable raw
materials. Next, a heavy acid- free water color paper is stained and salted.
Using fresh seaweeds, the designs are created on the prepared backgrounds
and then placed between absorbent layers of paper. Pressure is applied for
various periods of time. All wet absorbent layers are replaced every two
days until the drying process in complete making this one of the more labor
intensive steps (any laziness here quickly translates into a huge mess.) The
designs when removed are then cleaned of any salt or dirt residue; then
protected with sealants; and finally packaged for presentation.
Prints:
Specific original pressings are chosen for their unique ability to translate
from pressing to print All prints are made in-house and printed with
archival ink & paper (giclees that last seventy years or more if kept out of
direct sunlight).
