The Theory of Matter

Graphic designer Rick Griffith is type-cast, but in his case, it’s a good thing. His fascination with fonts led him this year on a pilgrimage to three shrines to the wooden letterpress progenitors of the modern typeface: the Country Music Hall of Fame’s Hatch Show Print in Nashville, the Hamilton...

By Susan Froyd

December 10, 2009

[
        {
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Inline Content - Mobile Display Size",
          "component": "12017618",
          "insertPoint": "2",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
        },{
          "name": "Editor Picks",
          "component": "17242653",
          "insertPoint": "4",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18838239",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17261320",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18838239",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - Leaderboard Tower - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17261321",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        }
      ]

Graphic designer Rick Griffith is type-cast, but in his case, it’s a good thing. His fascination with fonts led him this year on a pilgrimage to three shrines to the wooden letterpress progenitors of the modern typeface: the Country Music Hall of Fame’s Hatch Show Print in Nashville, the Hamilton Woodtype Museum in Wisconsin, and the Rob Roy Kelly American Wood Type Collection at the University of Texas at Austin. And he brought a load of historically awesome typographic booty back with him for inspiration. That will be the highlight of Underwear (lowercase), a celebration of “typographic nerdery,” Griffith’s eleventh annual holiday print sale and party at his Matter Studio, 2134 Market Street.

The “underwear” part refers to the designer’s own Matterial line, a compendium of everything from posters and journals to T-shirts, poodle skirts and, yes, graphic undies; the “lowercase” refers to “the fact that underwear is for your lower region.” But never mind the event’s arcane side: Matterial wares and wood type treasures will all be for sale during the event, which begins at 7 p.m. and continues into the wee hours; spins by three hip DJs and a fish tank full of mojitos will keep things lively. Plus — and this is particularly good news — the evening marks the launch of Matter’s new storefront.

Is Griffith your type? For more information, go to www.matterstudio.com.
Fri., Dec. 11, 7 p.m.-1 a.m., 2009

Become A Member

BEFORE YOU GO...
Can you help us continue to share our stories? Since the beginning, Westword has been defined as the free, independent voice of Denver — and we'd like to keep it that way. Our members allow us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls.

Susan Froyd started writing for Westword as the "Thrills" editor in 1992 and never quite left the fold. These days she still freelances for the paper in addition to walking her dogs, enjoying cheap ethnic food and reading voraciously. Sometimes she writes poetry.

Contact: Susan Froyd

Follow:

Facebook: sosfrojd

Twitter: @sosfrojd