Large photo made from multiple sheets

Hi,

I have an idea for a project and would like to find some more information or even examples of similar works. I would also like any tips or advice from people about carrying it out.

I would like to enlarge a 6x6 negative and print it 48x48. I have a lot of 12x16 paper which I was given a while ago, so my plan is to stick the sheets to a wall in the darkroom, edge to edge, to make a 48x48 square and project onto it on the wall, then develop each sheet in turn.

Now I am thinking that it might work better if I have 12 12x16 frames, and when I'm printing, arrange the sheets with gaps between them. The idea then is that when the photos are developed, framed and displayed, the frames will be placed edge to edge and the full image will appear. I would arrange the paper in printing so that some of the image is "behind the frames", ie. the gaps between prints match the width of the frame.

Is there a name for this sort of print/display? I've tried some pretty comprehensive searches that threw up nothing. Similarly is anyone has tried this before I'd love to hear some tips and advice!

Thanks,
Darragh

I walked in to the Texas Gallery many years ago as Richard Avedon was personally hanging a show. Several of the photos were printed on two sheets and framed together, while not exactly what you are proposing as they were in one frame it is close enough. The work of Gilbert and George is a more immediate example of this sort of arrangement.

Dear Darragh,

The answer is simple, if you have a single cohesive image that you want as 48" x 48" use roll paper to achieve that, it makes no sense
whatsoever to use 4 x sheets of paper :

If you are doing it to 'create the effect' ie one image divided into four framed but separated images that's absolutely fine.

Artists ( and by that I include photographers ) over the years have used 'linked' but distinct images 2 x diptych 3 x triptych

What Simon said (and I assume that you meant 4 12x16s, not 12 12x16s), but w/ a caveat. Doing it the way that you describe will break up the continuity of the image, BUT that is OK if you want to do that. Maybe hang them out of order, or have one somewhat above the other, one below, etc. If you're going to break up the continuity, may as well really do it. But I like your idea, and really, whatever we all say here is just talk. You have to visually see it before actually knowing whether it will work or not. Why not try it on a smaller scale first and see what you get? Those frame bars are going to be more of an integral part of the work, so how you frame and colour them will be of importance.

Me, I would simply cut up a smaller print and try different frames (scaled down for the smaller print) to see if a bigger work is viable. This sort of thing is totally dependent on what the image is. Many images will not work out, for one reason or another. Depending on how small your mock up is, you could use painted wooden coffee stirrers for frames, or keep them au natural for that rustic look. If you prefer more frame than that, a thrift store run will net you lots of $1 frames that you can take apart, or use as is.

I really think it depends on the image, recently at work we needed a large image (40"x120") for display. I printed one image in 4 parts, 30"x40"s and hung them about 2' apart. Worked great.

Quite impressive is the work of Lorna Simpson:

http://www.lsimpsonstudio.com/#s=1&mi=23&pt=1&pi=10000&p=6&a=2&at=0

It is screen printing on felt. Each panel is already big..