Matera. Graphics and design in service of contexts, territories, identities and the future. An opportunity to discuss projects and achievements, experiments and case studies in the fields of graphic design, graphic arts and communication.
All of this was at the heart of the Knowing & Printing .19 (K&P.19) workshop, this year dedicated to Graphics and Design – Project and Context. The event took place on Friday 6 December in Matera, at the Teatro Ludovico Quaroni in the borgo La Martella. Organised by Antezza Tipografi in collaboration with Open Design School, Fondazione Matera-Basilicata 2019, Aiap – Associazione Italiana Design della Comunicazione, and Isia – Istituto Superiore per le Industrie Artistiche di Urbino.
In 2019, Antezza chose to host its workshop at the Teatro Quaroni in Matera — a remarkable example of architecture, returned to the city after decades, located in the borgo La Martella adjacent to the industrial area that has long been home to the company’s historic premises. La Martella immediately calls to mind the contributions made here by figures such as Adriano Olivetti, whose visionary force seemed to anticipate — before anyone else — the need to experiment with new ways of living while preserving the values of a community. A city that would go on to become European Capital of Culture in 2019.
In this spirit, Antezza has for years used experimental print and graphic design to tell a significant part of the “new vision” of its community, both in Italy and abroad. K&P.19 focused on design process and contextual interpretation, bringing together voices around keywords such as graphics, design, project, context, experimentation, graphic arts and communication.
The presentation of the Antezza 2020 calendar — entrusted to Mauro Bubbico — and a preview of the volume Segni Migranti, storie di grafica e fotografia by Mario Cresci (Postcart Edizioni, printed by Antezza Tipografi), were just some highlights of the day, alongside an exploration of Antezza Tipografi’s experiments in Quadrifluo printing — offset printed with luminous fluorescent inks.