Noah Minuskin

“When Lionsgate approached me with this project, it was important for me to make sure that the hand of the artist really showed through… to see the labor and the mark making. The movie posters I admired growing up, I always saw as art first, before seeing the work as an advertisement. In the age of ‘digital takeover’ it’s important to not forget what the hand is capable of achieving.”

For this project, Noah chose to focus on storytelling and create a stage for the main assets of the film to shine. In terms of the final presentation, it was only right to explore the timeless process of lithography for this. First the image is drawn by hand to scale on a frosted mylar paper. The image is then etched into a photolithographic, copper plat. Lastly the plate is inked in the printmaking studio and each print is created one at a time.

The finished product was distributed nation-wide to promote the launch of the film.

LEGEND is a signed and numbered time-limited edition print. It will be available for 48 hours starting at 10AM PDT on Tuesday, May 12 and ending at 10AM PDT on Thursday, May 14. The edition is limited by the number of prints sold during those 48 hours and never reprinted.

The makers of legend are seldom content with the life handed to them. The great ones are able to summon the courage to break free from an environment full of limitations and see beyond the horizon (status quo). The moment depicted here is the moment of clarity, where destiny is realized since birth. The path to creating your own personal legend is what LEGEND represents. Inspired by the paintings of the high renaissance. This giclée print is produced on special museum etching paper, which retains all the details of the original painting and includes a custom sculpted sacred heart foil embossment.

The lithography process has been used for printmaking by the old masters for hundreds of years. Noah explored the timeless technique to create this limited edition lithograph print of Leo Tolstoy.

Each of the 15 signed and numbered prints were made in the printmaking studio of Anthony Zepeda, master printer at the Art Center College of Design. Etched into a copper photolithographic plate and hand printed with archival black ink on BFK Rives French paper.

All art forms face the challenge of preservation throughout time, but perhaps none so immediate as a tattoo. The canvas is human flesh, the lifespan is unknown, and the aging, both graceful and romantic in thought, creates problems when attempting to archive the art form.

The archival print project was inspired by the problems that face artist, Noah Minuskin, in his attempt to capture his work in its truest form, before the aging process begins to take effect.

Noah’s work is presented here in large scale archival format, allowing the viewer to take hold of that window in time where the work shows in its true intention. Collectors are now able to experience the work on a deeper and more intimate level. For some this project is a way to collect, for others to experience; for the artist it is not only about adding to the conservation of the life and death of a tattoo, but offering those that truly appreciate the art form an opportunity to collect these ephemeral pieces in a different, and longer lasting way.

“Glad I found the courage to jump on the big stage and share my experiences in life, craft and the many battles and challenges faced along the way. A huge honor to join the ranks of those that have contributed to this amazing platform of inspiration and ideas. Ted talks empower the words of those that seek to inspire and ignite the mind to find a deeper understanding of this world. I am a firm believer that the power of ideas can not only change lives but the world.”