ITALIAN JOURNAL SUMMER ISSUE PRESENTS ITALIAN FUTURISM AND FUTURISTS
Venerable print and online resource redesigned for publication by the Italian Academy Foundation, Inc.
NEW YORK and ROME July 27th 2009....The Italian Academy Foundation, Inc. has announced the re-design and extension of the 60-year-old Italian Journal, with its summer issue of the English-language quarterly. Coinciding with the 100th year anniversary of the Futurist Manifesto, which called for new aesthetics in art, music, culture, politics and even dress and food, the Italian Journal presents the Futurists' thinking in its various manifestations.
With its well recognized dark blue cover, the Italian Journal, was founded in 1949, originally as an academic publication containing essays on Italian cultural, political and sociological ideas, often written by academicians. With its same blue cover today, the magazine now moves into the general interest sphere under the editorial direction of Claudia Palmira Acunto, who succeeds Gastone Orefice and Vittorio Tesoro in the role of editor-in-chief. The revitalized magazine continues to present Italian thinking and achievement in an updated, richly visual, graphic format appropriate to its subject matter.
The magazine's mission is to bring Italian realities to American audiences in depth; its tone is intellectual, upbeat and dynamic, with a focus on ideas, values and motives, a refreshing break from a market saturated with lifestyle and buyer catalog-styled magazines, according to the editor.
"Our focus is on Italy from the inside, and our audience is the thinking person with an interest in Italy and Italianita'," said Claudia Palmira Acunto from her office in Rome. "The quality of our writing combined with our distinct, themed issues, give our readers a thoughtful and non-superficial approach to the culture's essence. Topics include art, architecture, film, literature, science, technology, business, theater and music -- the common thread being Italian origin and originality."
In the Summer issue, an extensive series of articles explores the many facets of Futurism, from the live celebrations in Rome and Milan this year, to its historical roots and founders. Essays contemplating Futurist ideas in contemporary culture refer to You-Tube and the subculture of punk rock as examples. The eight conclusions of Filippo Marinetti's manifesto are reprinted, as well as "Who 's Who" of Futurism and reproductions of some of the movement's greatest artistic masterpieces. The magazine reports on a four-course meal made from Futurist recipes by an Italian chef and Futurist devotee', and displays the Laura Biagiotti fashion collection inspired by the painter Giacomo Balla.
"The Futurists applied their philosophy to every aspect of life," said Ms. Acunto. "We demonstrate in photographs, paintings and articles the intense and ubiquitous quality of their concepts."
The issue also profiles the film director Paolo Benvenuti, most recently acclaimed for his film about the composer Puccini, shown at the Venice Film Festival and at Lincoln Center. Other features include contemporary sacred architecture in Milan; the abstract sculptures of former Italian Ambassador Giorgio Radicati; and interviews with Italian corporate executives on their sense of optimism in today's economic state. A debate over the ethics of the art market brings top authorities together on the Journal's pages as well.
Ongoing columns of the Italian Journal are a section entitled "Notable," which describes, in brief, products, stores and shows exported from Italy to New York; and "Social Journal," pages devoted to events in the Italian communities in the U.S., including those of the Italian Academy Foundation itself. The web edition will feature "Social Journal" photo galleries updated weekly.
The cover format of the Italian Journal represents a tradition the publication has kept; the style of the content, however, has changed. The new format contains four-color and full-page images, a break from the original, which was printed as a black-and-white booklet. The change reflects the tastes of a visually-sophisticated audience as well as the magazine's commitment to providing authentic artistic content –– from reproductions of masterpieces and contemporary art to photojournalistic photography as well as a photographer's column entitled "Hidden Gem," which features in each issue a different, remarkable location in Italy that is "hidden" to the average tourist. This issue's "Hidden Gem of Lazio" features the ruins of an abandoned medieval city, including a church designed by Bernini, found on a remote countryside on the outskirts of Rome.
"The theme-based issues are constructed to provide readers with an in depth look at the chosen topic. Each installment of the Italian Journal becomes its own 'book', a keepsake on a subject," said Ms. Acunto. "Futurism was a natural choice for the re-launch of the magazine, primarily because of its timeliness with Italy's celebration of the movement's conception and is founder, Filippo Tomasso Marinetti" said Ms Acunto, adding "Part of the message of the Italian Futurists was a call for zealous advancement and bold adoption of the new. The Futurists' exhortation is relevant in light of the revival of the Italian Journal in the age of new media. In the vein of embracing what is new, we extend our curiosity about our subjects across all media (print, online, audio and video), all while preserving the dignified, intellectual touch for which the Italian Journal is remembered."
The magazine is printed in English and distributed in the U.S. to more than 10,000 subscribers. The Italian Journal features an online version of the magazine for viewing and down load by subscribers, starting with the second issue. The publication will launch a monthly audio broadcast with interviews and music as well as periodic video features in collaboration with Oggi 7 and other media.
The Italian Academy Foundation, Inc. (IAF), established in 1947, is a non-for profit 501©(3), tax-exempt corporation that pursues a unique form of cultural diplomacy, presenting Italian realities to U.S. audiences. The Italian Academy Foundation, Inc. produces concerts, symposia and special events year round throughout the United States and Italy. IAF customarily works with select international charities to use our events for fundraising and awareness efforts.
