Milano Photo Week 2019: Camilla Invernizzi on Photography's Role in Italy

The Milano Photo Week has launched in Milan, organized by ArtsFor_ in partnership with the Comune di Milano. Camilla Invernizzi, co-founder of ArtsFor_, discusses the event's goals and challenges facing photography in Italy. The week aims to broaden photography's audience by networking artists, galleries, schools, and museums. An open call allows non-commercial projects to participate. ArtsFor_ curates scientific projects, including collaborations with Il Cinemino and Anteo for film-photography intersections. Highlights include Luca Bigazzi discussing restoration of Blow-Up for the Cineteca di Bologna, and a portfolio session with l'Internazionale. Realpolitik at Base will feature musical performances. Participation has grown, with institutions like Fondazione Prada, Armani Silos, Mudec, and Hangar Bicocca actively involved, along with all ten Milan photography schools. Invernizzi notes a lack of photographic literacy in Italy, where no photography museum exists in Milan, and calls for mandatory image education in schools. She hopes the week will bring external perspectives and a permanent photography venue from the municipality.