Based in Leipzig, Germany, artist Alexander Endrullat has taken a creative leap by substituting traditional intaglio printing plates with discarded laptops. His innovative series, titled Off the Grid, stems from a common yet frustrating experience: owning an outdated device that can no longer receive updates, essentially rendering it obsolete. This frustration sparked a moment of inspiration, prompting Endrullat to run his device through a printing press, leading to the discovery of a unique artistic technique.
"What fascinates me about this process is how the gradual deterioration of the devices becomes apparent with each print," he shares. Each pass through the press alters the laptop, unveiling intricate details of its internal structure and the traces left by previous owners--such as worn keys and remnants of stickers. As the process continues, cleaning the ink becomes increasingly difficult, with glass screens and touchpads showing signs of wear.
Endrullat's printing press, nearly a century old, provides a striking contrast to the ephemeral nature of digital devices, evoking themes of materiality, consumption, and the hidden architectures within our technological tools. "This series invites reflection on how we interact with our devices," he explains, "and I also find joy in the sound a laptop makes the first time it runs through the press."
Looking ahead, Endrullat envisions expanding his work to include entire computer setups, complete with mice, keyboards, and monitors, which would require a different press altogether. This ambitious direction not only showcases his artistic evolution but also emphasizes the potential for technology to be reimagined as a canvas for creativity.
As he continues to explore these themes, Endrullat's work serves as a reminder of the intersection between art and technology, encouraging us to reconsider the life cycle of our devices and the stories they carry.
