PRINT MATTERS – A Fanzine and Self-Publishing Workshop

This 3-day workshop aims to explore the relationship between the photographic process and the application of printed matter (independent publications, fanzines, and artist books). The combined use of lectures, discussions, and portfolio reviews define this workshop structure presented by New York-based Italian photographer, Alessandro Simonetti. The culmination of this intensive workshop will result in a student-published product using the tools revealed by Alessandro and his contemporaries.

The final assignment involves the valuable steps discussed throughout the workshop. Given a thematic direction, students will take photos throughout the duration of the 3-day intensive and a collective selection process will manifest the actual printed matter. The realisation of ideas into an actual artist book will provide evidence of the value of independent publications. The workshop’s final printed matter project will be promoted and presented on and offline in the form of published articles and surveys.

Alessandro Simonetti developed parallel to the birth of Italian street culture of the early nineties. He is part of the second generation of adolescent Italians who were the first to become sensitive to events such as hardcore-punk, hip hop and the realities related to squats.

He graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts in Venice and teaches photography at the ‘Institute of Art, graphic design, printing and photography’ that he himself attended. He currently lives and works in New York City.

Simonetti has exhibited, among others, in areas such as the Leica Gallery in NY, Tate Modern London, Jarach Gallery Venice, Milan Viafarini, Maxi Rome, OHWOW Miami and worked with various publications such as Rollingstone, GQ, Lodown, Out, Victory, Dazed. His publications are available at bookstores and concept stores such as PS1 MoMA bookstore, Bronx Museum, the Leica Gallery in NY, Opening Ceremony, Printed Matter, Motto, Palazzo dei Tre Oci, Colette, Dashwood and others.