And So It Goes is a graphic hybrid that combines traditional printmaking technique with the aesthetic of the digital screen. From afar, the curves of the letterforms appear smooth, but as when one zooms in on a computer screen, on approaching the work one discovers that what appeared to be a curve is in fact just a pixelated contour. The quadriptych was commissioned for the History Machines exhibition at Edinburgh Printmakers in 2016.

Each of the four parts consists of a ‘sight word’ which come together to form a single piece. Sight words are used as a key strategy for teaching children to read through the memorization of high frequency words so that they become recognizable by sight. Here, the words are digitally printed, the aliased distortion around the contours of each letterform appearing as gray-scaled pixilation as if employing hints to improve legibility. Like Alias, the pixelated outlines of the letterforms are blind-embossed.

BIOGRAPHY

Matt Donovan and Hallie Siegel are an artist collaborative who live and work in Toronto, Canada. Their work explores the hopes and anxieties brought about by major technological disruptions and blends 2D and 3D, text and sculpture, narrative and gesture.

Matt, an artist and industrial designer, brings an intuitive sense of 3-dimensional space and an in-depth knowledge of materials. Hallie, an artist, communications professional and science editor, brings a sensibility of the 2D in the form of text, typography and graphics. Both have a deep interest in cultural theory and the history of technology. 

The duo enjoys playing off each others’ strengths, and their best work is a seamless blend of contrasting skill sets: 2D and 3D, text and sculpture, narrative and gesture. By seeking out connections between different modes of production (for example: poetry and sculpture, graphic design and painting, handcraft and mass-production), Matt and Hallie create seamless hybrids that defy simple classification. Their approach is not one of juxtaposition, but rather of synthesis; they know that a work is complete when they can no longer distinguish where one discipline leaves off and another begins. 

Recent exhibitions include Edinburgh Printmakers, Edinburgh, Scotland. Jul 29–Oct 22, 2016 (Edinburgh Arts Festival program).History Machines; Discovery Place, Charlotte, North Carolina, Jun 10–Sep 5, 2016.Beyond Rubik.; The DoSeum, San Antonio, Texas, Mar 12–May 12, 2016.Beyond Rubik.; TELUS World of Science, Edmonton, Canada, Nov 7, 2015–Feb 15, 2016.BeyondRubik.; Great Lakes Science Center, Cleveland, Ohio, May 30–Sep 7, 2015.Beyond Rubik.; Liberty Science Center, Jersey City, New Jersey, Apr–Nov, 2014; Olga KorperGallery, Toronto, Canada, Aug 25-Sep 29, 2012. Landscape/PetitsGenres.; Olga Korper Gallery, Toronto, Canada, March 31–April 23, 2011.Boy Series.; Niagara Artists Centre, St. Catharines, Ontario. March 9–June 4, 2011; Olga Korper Gallery, Toronto, Canada. March 2007–April 2007.HistoryMachines; World Washi Summit, Toronto, Canada. June 7–15, 2008; Beyond Rubik MacLarenArt Centre, Barrie, Ontario. September 10–November 1, 2009; The Latcham Gallery, Stouffville, Ontario. 2005

Their work is held in private and public collections, and has shown across North America and in Europe, where they were featured artists at the 2016 Edinburgh Arts Festival. In 2017 they were awarded a New Chapter Grant, a one-time program from the Canada Council created on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of Canadian Confederation. They have been represented by the Olga Korper Gallery (Toronto) since 2007.