The story
PARTNERS IN CRIME
We are Anna and Cristian, the founders of Frankenstein Press. We are also partners in life and parents of two gorgeous children.
We met in 2005 while studying at the LCC in London, introduced by a mutual friend. We share our passion for printmaking, and over the past 15 years, we have been establishing our studio. It has been an incredible journey, accompanying us from La Garrotxa (Spain) to London in 2018, and finally finding its permanent home on North Street, Bristol.
We have collaborated for many years, but it was only recently that we both felt the desire to merge our printmaking skills and create a unique and distinctive identity/project.
Frankenstein Press was born out of the desire to have fun and experiment with each individual press and the combination of the two. We possess a late 1800s etching press and a 1950s letterpress Fag.
Manifesto
Embracing the Analogue in a Digital Age
In 2014, we acquired a unique French etching press from the late 1800s, which accompanied us on a transformative journey across various destinations — from Barcelona to the idyllic Catalan countryside, and ultimately to the vibrant cities of London and, most recently Bristol. During the move from Spain to London, a technician who assembled the press noticed its unique characteristics. Over the years, it had undergone modifications and acquired additional parts, leading him to call it a kind of a “Frankenstein press.” And so, it was baptized.
At the time, we didn’t fully grasp the significance of this name, but its deeper connection soon became apparent. A parallel emerges between our current moment and the creation of the legendary tale of Frankenstein, as well as its profound themes and meaning.
The book, “Frankenstein or the Modern Prometheus,” was written in 1818 by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, an English novelist renowned for her Gothic masterpiece, which is considered an early example of science fiction.
Within its pages, Shelley weaves a captivating narrative about Victor Frankenstein, a young scientist who embarks on an unorthodox experiment, resulting in the creation of a sentient creature. While the book can be interpreted in numerous ways, to us, it embodies a crucial juncture of scientific transition and profound change.
Our project, Frankenstein Press, aligns with the uncertainties we encounter in the face of rapid technological advancement and the pervasive influence of artificial intelligence. In this age of instant gratification and social media dominance, we firmly believe in the importance of striking a balance between digital technologies and the human-made, analogue experiences. Our mission is to advocate for a slower pace, nurture genuine human connections, and provide a much-needed counterbalance to the pervasive influence of digital technology.
Frankenstein Press serves as a symbol of embracing the tactile, the tangible, and the authentic. We are committed to promoting the value of craftsmanship, artistry, and the profound human connection that can be forged through the printed word. In an era where everything seems to move at lightning speed, we extend an invitation to embark on a journey that celebrates the beauty of the analogue, cherishes the preservation of tradition, and embraces the enduring power of human creativity.
Welcome to Frankenstein Press, where the past converges with the present, and the analogue finds its rightful place in a digital world.