The PRINT! Mind Map: From A4 rough to 40 sq metre vinyl exhibit
//The PRINT! Mind Map currently in the Terrace Rooms of Somerset House. Photo: Doug Peters/PA Wire//
//First rough draft, February 2018//
One of the most popular elements of PRINT! Tearing It Up – the celebration of independent magazines currently at Somerset House – is the giant mind map of British publishing which occupies an entire wall in the Terrace Rooms gallery.
//Second draft with circles to indicate subject matter constellations, March 2018//
Measuring 5m x 8m, this arranges 373 titles in interlinked concentric groupings to show the development of the progressive independent press in this country from the 1800s to the present day.
Stemming from a personal and, hopefully, informed choice, the mind map, which took around three months to finalise, is not intended to be definitive. As far as I know this is the first time anyone has attempted such an effort.
//Third draft with clusters of cut-out titles, April 2018 //
Starting with a rough on A4 and working with co-curator Claire Catterall, I developed the map by taping together pages and using cut-outs to move individual titles into places which fitted the narrative.
In April I delivered the paste-up version to Scott King, who was simultaneously working on the PRINT! graphic identity with designer Rhys Atkinson. It was Atkinson who patiently created the final version of the mind map, which was produced in vinyl by London specialist printer Omni Colour for installation in the show. It was also reproduced as a fold-out in the King-designed PRINT! booklet.
//Fourth draft with links and key titles picked out in roundels, April 2018//
At the centre of the map are the roots of the contemporary scene represented by such enduring titles as The Spectator (established 1828), British Journal Of Photography (1854) and Architectural Review (1896).
Blast (which ran for two issues in 1914-15) acts as the fulcrum, as it does in the main body of the exhibition. The various radiating clusters are divided into subjects including Architecture & Design, Counterculture, Identity, Lifestyle, Music Press, Politics & Dissent, Literary & Film, Sport & Hobbies and Sex & Sexuality. Framing the map at the furthest points from the centre are the selection of current magazines.
//Top and above: The mind map being installed in vinyl strips, May 2018//
It was always my intention that the map should appear as an explosion of creativity, reflecting the organic and chaotic development of indie publishing down the decades. Already a couple of omissions have been pointed out. That these are bound to occur with such undertakings isn’t much solace I know, so my response has been: maybe next time!
//The fold-out version with every copy of the PRINT! booklet//
//Photo: Doug Peters/PA Wire//
PRINT! Tearing It Up – Independent British magazines changing the world, Terrace Rooms, Somerset House, until Aug 22.