PAROLA Magazine Launches as Anonymous Art Publication
PAROLA is a new Italian editorial project founded by Leonardo Caffo, Rica Cerbarano, Marina Barbieri, and Roberto Maria Clemente. The semiannual magazine investigates a single contemporary theme per cycle of four issues, deliberately omitting author names from texts and photographs to create a universal language free from narcissism. The first issue explores the theme of 'museum' through 17 interviews with art world figures—including Michele Coppola (Executive Director of Gallerie d'Italia in Turin), Giovanna Melandri (former President of Fondazione MAXXI in Rome), Rein Wolfs (Director of the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam), freelance guides, and Milanese design studio Formafantasma—alongside photographs by nine photographers. The project positions itself against philosopher Byung-Chul Han's critique of contemporary narcissism and Martin Heidegger's notion of a 'post-hermeneutic language without message,' aiming to restore meaning to language. The magazine also promotes other publications: Incanti (weekly on art market), Render (biweekly on urban regeneration), PAX (biweekly on cultural tourism), and Lettera (daily newsletter). PAROLA's approach removes individual authorship to foster dialogue and universal accessibility, as stated in its manifesto: 'The words of Parola are like the wind, of everyone and for everyone.'
Key facts
- PAROLA is a new Italian semiannual magazine founded by Leonardo Caffo, Rica Cerbarano, Marina Barbieri, and Roberto Maria Clemente.
- The magazine omits author names from texts and photographs to create a universal, non-narcissistic language.
- The first issue focuses on the theme 'museum' with 17 interviews and photographs by 9 photographers.
- Interviewees include Michele Coppola (Gallerie d'Italia, Turin), Giovanna Melandri (ex-Fondazione MAXXI, Rome), Rein Wolfs (Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam), and Formafantasma.
- Four issues complete a thematic cycle; each issue's contributors are listed at the end.
- The project responds to philosophies of Byung-Chul Han and Martin Heidegger.
- PAROLA also promotes other publications: Incanti, Render, PAX, and Lettera.
- The magazine's manifesto states: 'The words of Parola are like the wind, of everyone and for everyone.'
Entities
Artists
- Leonardo Caffo
- Rica Cerbarano
- Marina Barbieri
- Roberto Maria Clemente
- Michele Coppola
- Giovanna Melandri
- Rein Wolfs
- Formafantasma
- Camilla Elefante
- Vittoria Attolini
- Giovanna Ferro
- Martin Heidegger
- Byung-Chul Han
Institutions
- Gallerie d'Italia
- Fondazione MAXXI
- Stedelijk Museum
- Università IULM
- Artribune
Locations
- Italy
- Turin
- Rome
- Amsterdam
- Milan