A Mobile Printing Press for the People!

I set up a mobile letterpress studio in a park in Ridgewood, Queens, and together with my neighbors, printed over 100 posters.

Each poster uniquely answered the question “What makes the world worth living in?”

As you can imagine, the answers were diverse and far ranging.

Reciprocity makes the world worth living in. Pleasure Island (a local band) makes the world worth living in. Ice cream makes the world worth living in.

People answered the question with big ideas, activities, people, pets, and simple joys.

Laughter makes the world worth living in. Kissing makes the world worth living in. Little League makes the world worth living in.

After answering the question, I helped participants print posters using movable wood type. With guidance, they set the type, applied ink, and pulled their own unique prints. Participants took one poster home and left one for the public gallery.

Being loved makes the world worth living in. Kolache makes the world worth living in. Book club makes the world worth living in.

All too often, it’s easy to feel downtrodden, isolated, and diminished. On a sunny afternoon in my neighborhood, I’m proud to have created a space and a shared experience to reflect on the things, big and small, that make the world worth living in.

Want to bring the mobile printing press to your community?

This program was made possible (in part) with public funds from the Queens Arts Fund, a re-grant program supported by New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council and administered by New York Foundation for the Arts.

Photography by Ollie Pierce.