Grant (from Los Francisco San Angeles portfolio) 

Edward Ruscha made "Grant" as part of his "Los Francisco San Angeles" portfolio, using color screenprint on paper. Ruscha is renowned for his engagement with the urban landscape, and this print reduces the grid of city streets to its most basic form. Look closely, and you'll see how the ink is applied with a slight, imperfect touch. This hints at the human effort involved in the printmaking process, requiring a skilled hand to guide the squeegee across the screen. The choice of screenprinting is significant too. It's a technique deeply connected to commercial production, allowing for the efficient creation of multiples. By using this method to depict the urban grid, Ruscha subtly connects the physical layout of the city with the forces of industry and commerce that shape it. The clean lines and flat colors evoke the visual language of advertising and signage, reflecting the pervasive influence of these elements in the modern city. Ultimately, "Grant" invites us to consider the ways in which materials, making, and context intertwine to shape our understanding of art and urban life.