How long have you been printing?
In 2021
Describe your first encounter with letterpress
I hung around at Letterpress Workers in september 2022 at Leoncavallo, as I know Claudio Madella (Goodtypes) since 1999, and he invited me to come and have a look, because I had just started experimenting with printing the year before.
But my very first encounter has been in the early '80 when my father received many old boxes of big wood type characters as a gift. Then I lately had to give them away, but I kept some items with the idea one day to start using them. So, after 40 years, I did!
Where did you learn?
I just finished attending a couple of courses held by Claudio Madella, during the last year, and of course I learnt a lot during the latest editions of letterpress workers which I attended as a helper, and sometimes as a photographer/videomaker
Who was your most influential teacher?
I had a few at the graphic design school: Bruno Munari, Umberto Fenocchio (Lettering) and Romano Barboro (Typography)
What super power would you like to have?
To change bad things into good things, and irony, of which I definitely lack
Do you prefer to work alone or with others?
Both. When I'm alone I've got more time to focus on errors and refining the work, but working with others is unbeatable for so many reasons like growing, sharing, communication, fun and it's sooo powerful...
What do you most value in your friends?
That they are there
When do your best ideas occur to you?
In the early morning when I'm just awake and I haven't opened my eyes yet.
If you were to die and come back as a typeface, which would it be?
Any typeface with flourish and waves, so I guess some Art Nouveau type like Arnold Böcklin
What tool do you use more often than any other?
Pencil and Mac
What books are currently on your nightstand?
On my nightstand there is an indecent pile of books that I pretend to have the time to read.
Bodies of Water (Astrida Neimanis), Sea change (Sylvia Earle), and Dada - arte e antiarte (Hans Richter) are those I wish to finish by the end of summer. In the meantime, other titles will join the pile
If you could study with any printer throughout history, who would it be?
At the moment Alan Kitching, as I'm still not cultured enough on typography history.
If you have your own shop, what equipment do you own?
I currently just have a mini etching open press printer, 7,5 × 23 cm, a postcard size open press printer and a A4 press. I'm forced to print in small size, because I haven't got space enough for a proper print shop
If you could change one thing about your shop, what would it be?
To have more room to move, add a little Boston press and a case for some type set.
When and where are you the happiest?
When I'm in the ocean.
What is your greatest fear/worry?
That we, as humanity, won't be able to reverse the wrong directions we have taken in terms of climate and justice
What do you think is useful about what you make?
Make people think and enjoy doing it
What’s your day job?
Photographer
Do you use any other techniques or media besides letterpress?
Lino cut, cyanotype, lego dots.
