PERFORMING PEN PLOTTER

A multi-player activity to embody a pen plotter

TOOLS & MATERIALS

• Paper up to A3
• Drawing tools (ball point pen, pencil, etc)
• A plotter pal

STEPS

1. Find a plotter pal
2. Read the prompt together
3. Choose who moves the pen (top/down) and who moves the paper (left/right)
4. Run a test print: try plotting "Hello world"
5. (SUGGESTION) Pick a contribution from the "Pen Plotter Pal" workshop, and plot it with your plotter pal

WHISPERING OF A PLOTTER MACHINE

"Try to tune in with the pen plotter. Focus on different qualities: the precise way it draws curves, the stuttering zig-zag navigation on the page, the chattering noise of the stepper motors, the commitment to finish even the most complicated drawing ... "

REFERENCES & INSPIRATIONS

• "Pen Plotter Pal" is a workshop by Adele Gregoire at the H&D Summer Camp 2024: Unruly Currents & Everyday Piracy (Reach out to Adele to learn more about the workshop! (^_^)/)
• "Pen Plotting Party" is a Rotterdam-based collective, united by a shared fascination for the enigmatic nature of pen plotters
• Check out the thorough documentation of pen plotter technology by Experimental Publishing (XPUB)