Friday 4th to Sunday 6th of September, 10:00-18:00 h | Workshop “Build Your Own DIY 16mm Portable Contact Printer” with Nan Wang | Kulturbunker Köln-Mülheim | Berliner Str. 20 51063 Köln | Workshop in English | Fee to cover the material costs: 163€ | Application required via the form
https://forms.gle/FyPLmW2EH9Z9zKLBA
Contact printing is a foundational process in photochemical filmmaking, not only essential for producing film prints, but also a powerful creative method for artists exploring materiality, texture, and experimental image making. A contact printer transfers images from one strip of film onto another by running the original film together with unexposed film stock while light passes through the original image.
In this hands-on workshop, participants will learn to build a custom-designed portable 16mm contact printer from scratch. Over the past two years, as part of the Spectral Project, artist Nan Wang has developed an open-source, low-cost 16mm contact printer using humble materials and readily available modern components. The project aims to make photochemical tools accessible to artists, filmmakers, and communities working without access to professional lab facilities. As a result of this research, two DIY printer models have been created:
– SimplePrint Mini — a compact, portable version designed for small-scale projects and on-the-go experimentation.
– SimplePrint Extend — a larger version built for longer film rolls and extended printing sessions. SimplePrint Mini is a core component of it.
During the three days of the workshop, participants will build and test their own SimplePrint Mini, learning how to assemble, calibrate, and operate the printer. The workshop will conclude with hands-on printing experiments that explore the aesthetic and conceptual possibilities of contact printing as an artistic practice. Participants will therefore experience the complete process of constructing and using an independent 16mm film-printing tool.
How to participate?
Participants may register either:
– to build their own printer -which they can take home after the workshop.
– to observe the process without constructing a printer themselves.
Film auf Film workshops are generally free of charge, but due to the high material costs, participants who want to build and keep their own printer are asked to contribute to the material costs of 163€ per printer.
All tools and materials will be provided, including 16mm print film stock and chemicals for making and developing test strips.
Places are limited, please apply using the online form above or in the QR code.
Application deadline: 7th of August.
Announcement of selected participants: 9th/10th of August.
About the artist
Nan Wang is a media artist and experimental filmmaker, working across analogue film, optical devices, installation, and live audiovisual performances. She is also a member of Filmwerkplaats, an artist-run film lab in Rotterdam. Nan Wang will additionally present a selection of her work on Thursday 3rd of September, 20h, at Kulturbunker Mühlheim, Köln.
The workshop programme organised by the artist-run film lab FILM AUF FILM e.V. is made possible thanks to the Ministry of Culture and Science of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia (MKW NRW).
