Tracing Decay:A Study of Image Degradation in Print and Moving Images
Authors:   Department of Creative Arts, School of Arts and Social Sciences, Hong Kong Metropolitan University, LI Xiaoqiao , WU Yanjing ,   Department of Creative Arts, School of Arts and Social Sciences, Hong Kong Metropolitan University
Published: January 2025

This paper investigates how the decay of images can generate new visual forms through the interplay of apophenia and trace. In the context of the dissolution of traditional disciplinary boundaries in the arts, contemporary printmaking has evolved into a cross-media creative practice, transcending conventional limitations. By focusing on the reproduction process—not through traditional editioning in printmaking but by employing various methods to degrade the surface of the same printed image—the study examines how image degradation can produce new aesthetic outcomes when combined with moving image editing techniques.

The methodology involves a comparative analysis of the material properties, surface characteristics, and temporal dimensions of prints and printed moving images. Through iterative printing cycles, physically altering the printed image, photographing, and reprinting, the image undergoes gradual decay, accumulating layers of transformation. This process deconstructs the original image, allowing for new visual patterns and meanings facilitated by apophenia—the tendency to perceive meaningful patterns within random or ambiguous data. By intentionally degrading images, the residual traces and fragmented forms stimulate the viewer' s imagination to perceive new connections, expanding the medium' s creative potential.

Integrating moving image editing into this decaying process demonstrates how the static nature of prints can be transformed into dynamic “printed moving images” that embody print and time-based media characteristics. The moving image editing process captures each stage of image decay, manipulating them using digital editing tools to create a temporal sequence. This fusion challenges conventional distinctions between printmaking and moving images, highlighting printmaking' s dynamic and evolving nature in the digital age.

The core findings reveal that the decaying process, combined with moving image editing, creates an expressive system of visual language that is both independent and integrative. The study emphasizes that a “print” is not just a static entity but can evolve into a “printed moving image, ” bridging static prints and dynamic moving images. This approach expands the field of contemporary printmaking, demonstrating its potential for interdisciplinary crossover by employing multiple languages and actions. It underscores the transformative potential of image decay as an artistic practice, where embracing decay as a form. of deconstruction and reconstruction allow artists to unlock new creative potentials.

Contributing to the broader discourse on the evolution of images in contemporary art and digital culture, the research highlights the value of reconceptualizing traditional artistic methods within contemporary contexts. By engaging viewers through the interplay of apophenia and trace, the study enriches dialogues within the art community and paves the way for future explorations in art and beyond. This fusion of printmaking and moving image editing challenges conventional distinctions and exemplifies the dynamic nature of printmaking, offering new possibilities for artistic expression in the digital age.