Radical Clerkenwell Reinterpreted

The Marx Memorial Library and Workers’ School (MML)
London
2024

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Radical Clerkenwell Interpreted is a project to connect the rich radical history of the Marx Memorial Library and Worker’s School (MML) with local residents in Islington.

In an earlier incarnation the MML was the London Patriotic Society, it’s rent paid for by William Morris, the legendary textile designer and prominent socialist. Most significantly it’s where Lenin worked when in exile, editing the underground Communist newspaper ‘ISKRA’ whilst in living exile in London from 1902–03. Since then it has become a natural meeting point for demos and protests, as well as being home to a rich archive of Marxist materials.

With this in mind I have sought to create a set of letters that referenced this aspect of underground print activity, be it smuggled newsprint or DIY placards. Each letter was built from newsprint of the font ‘Interstate’ (commonly used in tabloids), which were then cut out and then crumpled and creased in a giddy revolutionary fervour by my soft bourgeousie palms. Once degraded they were lovingly reconstructed Photoshop as a mix of halftone scans.

From this rudimentary analogue set of letters I was able to create large titles for various banners and window displays I designed for the library. In a similar vein, torn pieces of newsprint were used as graphic devices to hold copy and captions for the objects in the library’s collection.

A custom typeface was created from newsprint.

Banners designed to be hung in the library, featuring members’ comments on specific objects held by the MML.

Torn scraps of newsprint were the basis for creating graphic devices to highlight specific content.

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