Photocopiers might seem like mundane office machines, but did you know they can also be powerful tools for creativity? That’s right – your office’s hardworking copier isn’t just for invoices and meeting notes. Some of the most groundbreaking artists have used photocopying as a way to experiment, manipulate, and transform images into something new and unexpected. Welcome to a world of photocopier art.
So, next time you’re standing by the printer waiting for those endless reports, why not take a moment to see it differently? Forget copying – let’s talk about creating!
Photocopiers: The Unexpected Art Tool
If you’ve ever scanned your hand on the office copier (don’t worry, we won’t tell HR), you’ve already dabbled in xerography – the art of using a photocopier to create images. Artists like Pati Hill and Wolfgang Tillmans took this to another level, using copy machines to push the boundaries of photography and printmaking.
Pati Hill: Turning Everyday Objects into Art
Pati Hill was a writer-turned-artist who saw the beauty in the everyday. She used photocopiers to scan objects like scissors, fruit, and even a telephone, creating eerie, high-contrast images that turned the familiar into something almost surreal.
“Letting the copier impose rather than imposing on it may reveal something about our times and what lies ahead.” – Pati Hill
In other words, instead of just making a copy, she let the machine dictate the final result, embracing its quirks and imperfections.
Wolfgang Tillmans: Breaking Photography’s Rules
Wolfgang Tillmans, known for his experimental photography, also used photocopiers as a way to deconstruct images and question what makes a photograph “real.”
One of his pieces, CLC 800, dismantled, a, captures a broken-down copier in his studio, almost like an artistic autopsy of the machine itself. He wasn’t just interested in making copies – he was interested in how copies change reality.
“I became interested in photography through deconstructing or destroying it.” – Wolfgang Tillmans
Both artists turned office tech into a creative playground, proving that even the most ordinary tools can be incredibly artistic in the right hands.
How to Turn Office Boredom into Creativity
Okay, so maybe you’re not exhibiting at a London gallery anytime soon. But that doesn’t mean you can’t have fun and get creative at work! Here are a few ideas to turn your office copier into an art machine:
1. Scan Something Unexpected
Forget paper – try scanning objects with texture. Keys, leaves, your coffee cup lid… anything with an interesting shape or surface can create surprisingly artistic results.
2. Experiment with Layering
Print an image, then scan it again with something new overlaid – like a handwritten note or another picture. Keep layering to create something entirely unique.
3. Play with Motion
Move an object while the scanner is running to create stretched, distorted effects. Try dragging shifting a piece of paper mid-scan – it can produce fascinating abstract images.
4. Make a “Copy Collage”
Photocopy different textures, images, or patterns, then cut them up and rearrange them into a handmade collage. It’s a fun way to use old reports or spare printouts for something creative.
5. Turn It Into Office Art
Got a boring breakroom? Print your photocopier experiments and stick them up as “abstract office art.” Who knows – maybe you’ll start a trend!
Final Thoughts: Creativity is Everywhere
Pati Hill and Wolfgang Tillmans remind us that art isn’t just about fancy materials or expensive tools – sometimes, all you need is a photocopier and a fresh perspective.
So, the next time you’re standing at the copier, waiting for it to warm up, why not make something fun? Whether it’s a quick scan experiment or a full-on copy-art project, remember: your office isn’t just a workplace – it’s a creative space waiting to happen!
