Monotype Project

Monotype Project traced the history and origins of Monotype caster in Estonia. It was a year long initiative consisting of research, publications, book, exhibition, and course. It explored the richness of Typa paper and print museum collection of Monotype casters and matrixes.

Project was funded by Estonian Ministry of Cultures creative research programme in cultural and creative fields.

The Exhibition

The exhibition showcased the book as well as explained the inner workings of the Monotype caster machine to museum visitors. It’s separated into sections describing composing, history, keyboard, machine inner workings, casters in Estonia and the Monotype book. Parts of the exhibition are connected by visible layout grid running through all the walls. The centre table showcased a video of Monotype casting a new composition.

Monotype ABC

The Monotype ABC book, in a playful way, explained concepts connected to the Monotype caster. For each definition there is a corresponding illustration. The illustrations are kept in what is now commonly described as Ascii art. The dust jacket is an authentic Monotype ribbon that was used to print this very book.

Monotype Project is:

Charlotte Biszewski – Research and project coordinator
Merilin Matsamaa – Book design
Danila Rigovskiy – Researcher
Jörgen Loot – Production, Technical expert
Paweł Schulz – Consultation, Exhibition design
Asia Bartonowicz – Volonteer coordinator
Volonteers