Smens Magazine Returns After 20 Years with Royal Library of Turin Exhibition
A new exhibition at the Royal Library of Turin is featuring the complete collection of Smens, a unique literary magazine with hand-printed lead type and original woodcuts. This collection was generously donated by its founders, Gianfranco Schialvino and Gianni Verna. Smens, which was published semiannually from 1997 to 2004, is making a comeback with a twelfth issue centered on love, expected by the end of the year. The exhibition links the magazine to historic illustrated works from the library’s archives. Schialvino expressed that being recognized by a city with such sophistication is a dream. The lead type and matrices are housed in Milan, while Turin showcases the artistic journey. The exhibition also features original prints by notable artists like Fortunato Depero and Barry Moser.
Key facts
- Smens magazine was founded in 1997 by Gianfranco Schialvino and Gianni Verna.
- The magazine is hand-printed with lead type and includes original woodcuts in each issue.
- It was published semiannually in eleven issues until 2004.
- The Royal Library of Turin is exhibiting the complete corpus donated by the founders.
- Issue 12 is planned for the end of the year on the theme of love.
- The exhibition dialogues with ancient illustrated editions from the library.
- The hardware is deposited at Biblioteca Braidense and Trivulziana in Milan.
- Prints by Fortunato Depero, Barry Moser, Leonard Baskin, Evgenij Bortnikov, Jean Marcel Bertrand, Nespolo, Salvo, and Tabusso are included.
Entities
Artists
- Gianfranco Schialvino
- Gianni Verna
- Fortunato Depero
- Barry Moser
- Leonard Baskin
- Evgenij Bortnikov
- Jean Marcel Bertrand
- Nespolo
- Salvo
- Tabusso
Institutions
- Royal Library of Turin
- Biblioteca Braidense
- Trivulziana
Locations
- Turin
- Italy
- Canavese
- Milan