Bologna, in Emilia Romagna, has a new multi-purpose space dedicated to photography, art prints and creativity. It’s L’Artiere Bookshop, located in Via Petroni which opens a new artistic and creative experience presenting also an exhibition space. In the future, the initiatives are thought to expand.
Let’s go back in time: it was 2013, when, Gianluca and Gianmarco Gamberini decided to start a publishing house in Bologna specializing in monographic photography books, with the characteristic of being limited editions and aimed at both an audience of expert photographers and at enthusiasts and people who want to delve into the work of a particular artist.
L’Oeil asks Gianluca Gamberini why they decided to open a physical space, a bookshop, in fact, at a time when many feel that reading is no longer appreciated by everyone.
“We work with paper, with those special objects that are the photography books. We are exhibit in many specialized fairs abroad, so we work with “ephemeral” places where many experiences meet. Yet, in our opinion it was important to open a space in Bologna that would be both a showroom for what we do and a cultural space, a meeting place for creativity and a contribution to the revitalization of a street in the city center that is in itself beautiful and has great potential. Moreover, the bookshop fits into the context of Bologna, which is already rich in realities that related to photography”, he says.
L’Artiere, as a publishing house, is characterized by a high level of craftsmanship, with volumes printed in the Bologna area that become collector’s items, interesting examples of Made in Italy, taking advantage of the decades of technical expertise of Grafiche dell’Artiere.
Several books published by L’Artiere have been granted in the most prestigious awards, including the Aperture Photobook Prize (US), the Arles Photobook Prize (FR) and the Lucie Awards (US).
Thus, in 2023, Gianluca and Gianmarco, the two publishers, moving seemingly against the tide, open the Bookshop, a bookstore space that is also an art gallery where people have the opportunity to see the volumes in the catalog, as well as photographic exhibitions related to the published works. In addition, art residencies will be inaugurated around the historical printing presses.
On the occasion of the opening of this space, the first of the scheduled exhibitions is being held, consisting of Ultimo domicilio and Time Maze, projects by Lorenzo Castore that have been published in volumes by L’Artiere.
In Ultimo domicilio, each chapter deals with a different house, each with its own story, which includes an introspective narrative. They are not just physical structures but contain stories of individuals and families, reflecting different cultural experiences and their intertwining with history. Each room reveals private stories that are connected to shared territories. In contrast, TIME MAZE: “1994-2001 / A Beginning” & “2001-2007 / Lack & Longing” is a kind of literary autobiography that follows Lorenzo Castor’s journey as a photographer, with volumes that recount, in strict chronological order, the various stages of his experience as an artist.
In December, the works of the American photographer Andrea Modica will be on display.
The L’Artiere Bookshop exhibition space has been created by L’Artiere in collaboration with the Fondazione Rusconi and with the support of the Municipality of Bologna.
Paola Sammartano
Lorenzo Castore. Ultimo Domicilio + Time Maze
September 21 – October 31, 2023
L’Artiere Bookshop
Via Petroni 22/A
40126 Bologna BO
Italy
https://www.lartiere.com/
