Workshop: Curator Profession: Conceive, Organize and Communicate an Exhibition of Books and Images
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
Exhibitions are generally territory reserved for art historians and curators in the sector. The book and illustrated paper are, on the other hand, considered "minor" material and often lack professionals capable of showcasing them as they deserve. It is a mistake, because they tell stories of great cultural importance and have their own specific artistic value. The objective of the laboratory - closely linked to the theme of publishing - is to bring students closer to the path that starts from the conception of an exhibition on the subject, develops around its articulated organization and reaches the decisive aspect of communication, making them participate and aware of the whole process.
Expected learning outcomes
In the light of some significant "live" experiences - which the city of Milan in particular can offer - students will have the opportunity to get to know the machine and the "laws" that govern the exhibitions of illustrated books and papers.
Lesson period: First semester
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
· (October 3, 2025) Italy in the 20th century was the political and cultural laboratory of the West: an introductory lesson on the most significant Italian figures, movements, and sectors. Books and illustrated maps still represent the best reminders of that history.
· (October 10, 2025) The four "legs" of Made in Italy: design, fashion, editorial graphics, food.
· (October 17, 2025) Analysis of the elements that contribute to the creation of an exhibition: content, organization, communication. The exhibition planned this fall in Agrigento, curated by the lecturer, "Casiraghy and the 4 Elements. Journey from Empedocles to Alda Merini," is analyzed as an example.
· (October 24, 2025) Cinema at the Service of Books and Exhibitions. Screening of the documentary "Nel vento della Poesia. Alberto Casiraghy," featuring the filmmakers Katia Sala and Elena Romano and the protagonist.
· (October 31, 2025) A meeting with a communication expert for exhibitions and cultural initiatives.
· (November 7, 2025) The reissue of a literary text in a deluxe or illustrated edition. Two examples: Pier Carlo Masini's "Secret" Manzoni, reissued in 2023 to mark the 150th anniversary of the writer's death, and the 2023 illustrated reissue of Marta Nijhuis's story about the elephant Bombe, beloved by generations of Milan Zoo visitors.
· (November 14, 2025) Corporate and banking publishing: two little-known jewels in the crown of 20th-century Italian books. A case in point: the Cariplo bank gifts (1955-2000).
· (November 21, 2025) Preview of an exhibition project on the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics: "Skiing and Winter Sports. The Leonardo Bizzaro Collection."
· (November 28, 2025) General conclusions. Discussion and guidance on preparing for the final exam.
· (December 5, 2025) Visit to the exhibition "Number Ones on Display. Periodical Publishing from the Redaelli Collection" (Library on Via Senato, Milan).
· (October 10, 2025) The four "legs" of Made in Italy: design, fashion, editorial graphics, food.
· (October 17, 2025) Analysis of the elements that contribute to the creation of an exhibition: content, organization, communication. The exhibition planned this fall in Agrigento, curated by the lecturer, "Casiraghy and the 4 Elements. Journey from Empedocles to Alda Merini," is analyzed as an example.
· (October 24, 2025) Cinema at the Service of Books and Exhibitions. Screening of the documentary "Nel vento della Poesia. Alberto Casiraghy," featuring the filmmakers Katia Sala and Elena Romano and the protagonist.
· (October 31, 2025) A meeting with a communication expert for exhibitions and cultural initiatives.
· (November 7, 2025) The reissue of a literary text in a deluxe or illustrated edition. Two examples: Pier Carlo Masini's "Secret" Manzoni, reissued in 2023 to mark the 150th anniversary of the writer's death, and the 2023 illustrated reissue of Marta Nijhuis's story about the elephant Bombe, beloved by generations of Milan Zoo visitors.
· (November 14, 2025) Corporate and banking publishing: two little-known jewels in the crown of 20th-century Italian books. A case in point: the Cariplo bank gifts (1955-2000).
· (November 21, 2025) Preview of an exhibition project on the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics: "Skiing and Winter Sports. The Leonardo Bizzaro Collection."
· (November 28, 2025) General conclusions. Discussion and guidance on preparing for the final exam.
· (December 5, 2025) Visit to the exhibition "Number Ones on Display. Periodical Publishing from the Redaelli Collection" (Library on Via Senato, Milan).
Prerequisites for admission
Students enrolled in the Master's Degree program in "Editoria, culture della comunicazione e della moda", and in the Bachelor's Degree program in "Scienze umanistiche per la comunicazione", who are interested in understanding the full process of ideation, organization, and communication of exhibitions dedicated to books and visual arts on paper, are eligible to attend.
Teaching methods
Each lesson will consist of a theoretical introduction followed by analysis of specific case studies and in-class discussion.
Selected guest lectures with professionals in the fields of publishing, exhibition planning, and communication will also be included.
Attendance is mandatory (students may miss up to two out of ten classes).
Selected guest lectures with professionals in the fields of publishing, exhibition planning, and communication will also be included.
Attendance is mandatory (students may miss up to two out of ten classes).
Teaching Resources
Students will be presented with examples of exhibitions already held or in development in Milan, across Italy, and abroad — including original materials, catalogs, sample press releases, reviews, books, and articles. The texts listed below represent initial bibliographic references. Students are not required to study these materials, but are encouraged to consult them. Some copies (most of which are out of print) will be made available.
Extracts and articles relevant to the theme will be provided by Andrea Tomasetig.
L'economia italiana illustrata. Sta in: L'oggetto libro '96, Milano, Edizioni Sylvestre Bonnard, 1996;
Carte vincenti. Andrea Tomasetig racconta come ha rivoluzionato il mondo del collezionismo italiano. Intervista di Mario Anton Orefice ("Charta", gennaio-febbraio 2021);
Cariplo 1823-2023. Il primato delle strenne Cariplo. Arte e società in Lombardia. ("Charta", giugno-agosto 2023);
Editoria bancaria, un'eccellenza italiana, "Il Sole 24 Ore / Domenica" 2 luglio 2023;
Era Manzoni o Alessandro Verri-Verri?, "Il Sole 24 Ore / Domenica" 22 ottobre 2023;
È tempo di sapere di chi è figlio Manzoni, "Il Sole 24 Ore / Domenica" 28 gennaio 2024;
Si vola alto, oltre le strenne, "Il Sole 24 Ore / Domenica" 3 novembre 2024;
Sapessi com'è strano, un'elefantessa a Milano, "Il Sole 24 Ore / Domenica" 1° dicembre 2024;
I quattro elementi di Casiraghy, "Il Sole 24 Ore / Domenica" 29 giugno 2025.
Bibliography
Andrea Tomasetig (a cura di) (con Leo Guerra e Cristina Quadrio Curzio), I 'Pulcini' di Alberto Casiraghy. Tipografia e Poesia. Catalogo della mostra. Fondazione Gruppo Credito Valtellinese, Verona, 2018.
Pier Carlo Masini, Manzoni, a cura di Andrea Tomasetig, Padova, Edizioni NovaCharta, 2023.
Marta Nijhuis, Suonala ancora, Bombe. Memorie di un'elefantessa a Milano, a cura di Andrea Tomasetig. Illustrazioni di Marta Nijhuis. Milano - Udine, Mimesis Edizioni, 2024.
Andrea Tomasetig, Le strenne Cariplo (1955-2000). Il gioiello dell'editoria bancaria italiana, Milano, Luni Editrice, 2024.
Extracts and articles relevant to the theme will be provided by Andrea Tomasetig.
L'economia italiana illustrata. Sta in: L'oggetto libro '96, Milano, Edizioni Sylvestre Bonnard, 1996;
Carte vincenti. Andrea Tomasetig racconta come ha rivoluzionato il mondo del collezionismo italiano. Intervista di Mario Anton Orefice ("Charta", gennaio-febbraio 2021);
Cariplo 1823-2023. Il primato delle strenne Cariplo. Arte e società in Lombardia. ("Charta", giugno-agosto 2023);
Editoria bancaria, un'eccellenza italiana, "Il Sole 24 Ore / Domenica" 2 luglio 2023;
Era Manzoni o Alessandro Verri-Verri?, "Il Sole 24 Ore / Domenica" 22 ottobre 2023;
È tempo di sapere di chi è figlio Manzoni, "Il Sole 24 Ore / Domenica" 28 gennaio 2024;
Si vola alto, oltre le strenne, "Il Sole 24 Ore / Domenica" 3 novembre 2024;
Sapessi com'è strano, un'elefantessa a Milano, "Il Sole 24 Ore / Domenica" 1° dicembre 2024;
I quattro elementi di Casiraghy, "Il Sole 24 Ore / Domenica" 29 giugno 2025.
Bibliography
Andrea Tomasetig (a cura di) (con Leo Guerra e Cristina Quadrio Curzio), I 'Pulcini' di Alberto Casiraghy. Tipografia e Poesia. Catalogo della mostra. Fondazione Gruppo Credito Valtellinese, Verona, 2018.
Pier Carlo Masini, Manzoni, a cura di Andrea Tomasetig, Padova, Edizioni NovaCharta, 2023.
Marta Nijhuis, Suonala ancora, Bombe. Memorie di un'elefantessa a Milano, a cura di Andrea Tomasetig. Illustrazioni di Marta Nijhuis. Milano - Udine, Mimesis Edizioni, 2024.
Andrea Tomasetig, Le strenne Cariplo (1955-2000). Il gioiello dell'editoria bancaria italiana, Milano, Luni Editrice, 2024.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The final assessment consists of the ideation, development, and presentation of a parallel promotional project related to one of the exhibitions discussed in the workshop.
No formal grade will be assigned, as this is a workshop course.
No formal grade will be assigned, as this is a workshop course.
Professor(s)