Art and the Printing Press

The last 16th March, with our camera, we were in Cremona, to participate to the grand opening of the 3rd edition of the International Small Engraving Exhibition "Art and the Printing Press", a biennal event, organized by ADAFA.

Sponsor, supporting authorities and societies' list is impressive, as an aknowledgement of the serious and careful work done by the organizers.
Patronage has been awareded by: Ministero per i Beni e le Attività Culturali; Regione Lombardia; Provincia, Comune, Chamber of Commerce of Cremona; Azienda di Promozione Turistica del Cremonese; Associazione Pro Loco Soncino; Associazione Italiana Ex Libris, International Print Triennal Society of Cracow.

The intent of the Biennal is to inform the public about the art of engraving and its latest developments; in the Civic Museum "Ala Ponzone" in Cremona, there are around 243 works from 122 amongst the most significant artists, in turn coming from 53 countries.
These artists privilege the methods of original engraving (chalcography or relief techniques), that is, when the original plate is engraved by the artist himself; on the contrary, "commercial" prints, often sold as originals, are industrially reproduced with the most refined modern techniques. Even though they are signed and numbered, these prints carry absolutely no artistic or economic value.

A didactic workshop located in the Civic Museum will be available to demonstrate the various techniques of printmaking. School visits (please call to make a reservation) are welcome during the duration of the exhibition; in the nearby ADAFA gallery it will be possible to watch rare films dedicated to important engravers.

There's an accompanying catalogue, both in English and in Italian (144 pp.), curator is Mr. Vladimiro Elvieri; the catalogue reproduces in colours the works on display, as well as technical-historical notes on modern and ancient engraving techniques (10,00 euros).

We'll try to report you, as soon as possible, on what happened during the three distinct openings of the 16th March.
The three exhibitions are open until the 27th April 2003.

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