Historical Archive

The Historical Archive of the AIAP CDPG includes a number of full archives (such as the Enrico Ciuti, Massimo Dolcini, Graciela Ana Galvani, Alfredo Mastellaro, Claudia Morgagni, Ilio Negri, Danilo Nubioli, Sergio Ruffolo, Antonio Tubaro and Daniele Turchi funds, as well as that of the Association itself), smaller funds (in the names of well-known and less well-known personalities of graphic design) and collections.

The Historical Archive is the result of research and acquisition work begun by Mario Piazza in the early 2000s and continued since 2009. Research aimed at identifying possible histories of graphic design over time, such as that dedicated specifically to the typographic culture, with the collection and acquisition of documentary material such as samples, manuals, and foundry catalogues. Or the ones focused on editorial design, which makes it possible to initiate research on specific moments such as the series of books sold by mail order, the documentation of authors (such as Sutnar, Rand, Munari, ...), or the reconstruction of publishing histories (such as the series Il Timone De Agostini by Max Huber or those published by Rizzoli, whose graphics were edited by Mario Dagrada).

But there are many possible histories of the graphic design still to study, explore, and write: beyond the monographic interpretation, there are themes, areas, personalities, contexts and discourses that allow us to renew and enrich historical narratives and the possibilities of heritage valorisation.

The Historical Archive of the AIAP CDPG is a treasure of inestimable value that does not belong to the Association alone, but is in fact a collective heritage that must be cared for and preserved.