Reed Young has left the Building…

It gets a bit personal. One of my very dearest friends, a great man with a loud and honest mouth leaves us this week. I, and everyone in Fabrica, wish Reed all the best.

Reed Young, Photography Dept. May 2006, June 2007
What was your life like pre-Fabrica?
Before I started Fabrica I was fresh out of photo school, working for a couple of great fashion photographers in New York. My life consisted of loading film, eating expensive food and sitting on
airplanes in business class, never taking any pictures of my own. This is also my definition of hell.
What was life like during Fabrica?
When I started here I was really confused and angry. When I left yesterday, I was only confused. (This is also the answer to the next question.)
What are you most proud of doing in your time here?
You were known to speak your mind… how did this serve you in Fabrica?
Terribly, just shut up and work. This isn’t a fantasy, it’s a job.
But on the contrary, I really enjoy this quote by Elia Kazan, “When the kicking shoe is on the foot of the man with the bruised ass, he’s likely to use it.”
What advice would you have wanted before coming here?
Relax.
What’s the most important lesson you learned here?
In the business of commercial art, the distance between the bottom and the top is very short. I think they’re actually the same thing.
Best and worst moments?
Best Moment(s): Vorland, Munich, and Sicily
Worst Moment(s): The first 6 months (except Sicily)
What’s the plan now, Reed?
I’m moving to Milan to look for work as a prostitute.
Any parting words? Any thanks to give?
Thanks to Luciano Benetton for creating the opportunity of a lifetime for lots of young and talented people. Thanks to Renzo di Renzo for everything you did for me yesterday. Thanks to Enrico Bossan for being a great mentor and a total asshole, I have learned lots from you, and I hope our love/hate relationship isn’t finished. And finally I’d like to thank all of the friends and colleagues I met over the last year. You have been invaluable to me. I have learned more from you in 12 months than I have in my entire life leading up to Fabrica. It was an honor and a pleasure to work with such great people.
See his work here: http://www.reedyoung.com/

Marian is Leaving the Building…

Marian announced that he was leaving Fabrica last week. Someone said that this place would be like having a Santaless Christmas without him.

Marian Grabmayer, Graphic Design Department, 2005-2007Photo by Sarah Napier.
You’ve been here for how long?
I’ve been here for two years.
What’s the best and worst stuff you’ve seen here?
It’s impossible for me to keep this answer short. It’s been a long time with a lot of stuff happening, both positive and negative. Generally I’ve done my best work here and I’ve shared the best moments together with you guys.
It’s been the best time of my life as far as going out and spending free time is concerned. I’ve seen people getting naked and jumping off boats and bridges into rivers, I’ve heard people playing saxophone in the Fabrica elevator, I was in the winning team at a football tournament, I’ve experienced parties inside Fabrica (and I mean parties), I saw an amazing jam session at Treviso’s only non-Trevisian bar, I even got to dance in the streets. These are moments I’m going to remember for the rest of my life!
On the other hand I’ve spent too many nights working on proposals for projects that turned out being nothing but hot air, I could have been more clever in scheduling my time. My favourite negative event is the first big meeting we had for the exhibition at the Centre Pompidou: We got told that this would be day zero and that from now on we would start thinking about how this exhibition could look like. But we had already been working on proposals for two months – basically for nothing! It was ridiculous and I thought this would be the end of our collaboration with the Pompidou. Fortunately I was wrong.
What did you do before Fabrica?
For half a year I didn’t do much aside from a bit of freelancing. And before that I finished my studies in visual communication at the University of Art and Design in Linz, Austria.
Where are you headed now and what will life be like for you?
Now I’m going to apply at some advertising agencies inside and outside Europe, and hopefully I’m going to live in an exciting city soon. I will let you know!
Do you think it will be hard to readjust to “real life?“
I think changes in life are never easy. Coming to Fabrica was quite hard for me as well. But I hold the opinion that it’s good to change every now and then. Otherwise you get too comfortable with your daily routine.
What will you miss the most about life here?
Our weekly football matches, parties at Fabricanti’s apartments (probably with the police showing up after one hour), and hanging out at the local cafés on Saturdays.
What’s your greatest accomplishment in Fabrica?
I’ve learned a lot about relations and relationships, little lessons about life, which are a big benefit.
Any last words?
Last words are crap; let’s meet again somewhere!
Say farewell to our friendly giant. This is his last week.
www.marianworks.com

Christian Etter Leaves the Building

Our dear Christian Etter – main blog entry supplier and great friend to all – leaves us today after one glorious year.

What did you do before coming to Fabrica?
Worked as an Art Director in Saatchi & Saatchi in Milano.
And what is the plan now?
I will continue to work on some Fabrica projects (we’re still looking for editors!), but based in Switzerland, for a couple of weeks. Then I will go to work as a Senior Interactive Creative for a nice little company called Unit 9 in London.
What was the best moment here?
The best was the summer break… all of August off. We went with some Fabricanti and some of my friends through Spain and Portugal. I never had such a long holiday break. And also some little moments in Treviso. Like when just Pia, Hansi and I danced the whole night at your place. Only with an iPod with some strange music on it, without shoes to keep the neighbors sleeping. Or when I was with Natalie and Hansi in Paris for sure. And showing my motherland to some Fabricanti over the Christmas break. The trip to Slovenia was amazing too. Such good food. My god, there where so many good moments… it was a great year here.
What did you learn in Fabrica?
I think I improved my English quite a bit. And I stopped smoking. Also, when your colleagues all of a sudden become your flat mates, friends, family and lovers, you can learn a lot about your self… you can’t hide anything.
Any last words?
Yes. After working a year in Fabrica… I have to say this place makes less sense than ever. The infrastructure is great – the building, the library, the equipment, so many ridiculously talented people – but the never present management isn’t able to create a stable environment to pull anything off. Over all it’s an amazing place to meet good people from all over in a similar stage of their lives. And personally… I have never grown as quickly as I have in Fabrica. Therefore, it is a shame the building is half empty. I am happy that some new blood is arriving, but it seems impossible to stop the exodus. In June many will have to leave. I am glad I will not be here then.
To the Fabricanti I want to say again how great you are. You have taught me so much and given me much love! Wherever I am, my door is wide open for you.
I just want to say, that it’s been more than a pleasure to spend the past year with Chris. He’s not only my partner in blogging but a very good friend and a wonderful presence here in Fabrica. Websites, football, and pseudo-inappropriate conversations will not be so regular without your swiss ways.

Take care Chris.
And by the way everyone, there’s a free space available as a Fabricanti blogger!

Andy Rementer leaves the building!

After two mostly glorious years, Fabrica heavyweight Andy Rementer leaves us by tomorrow.

What did you do before coming to Fabrica?
Graduated from The University of the Arts in Philadelphia. Then lived and worked in NYC for a bit. I spent a great deal of time hanging around in coffee shops and dive-bars drawing, and making stickers.
And what is the plan now?
Travel around the states with my Italian girly. Decide whether I want to continue working for someone else, or work for myself (i.e. drawing alone in my bedroom). Work-wise I’d like to continue drawing comics, maybe getting something published would be nice.
Which was the best moment here?
The best moment(s) were when an Italian co-worker had a birthday party here at Fabrica. They would always bring in fabulous meats, prosecco, and dolce for everyone to enjoy. Americans are so far behind with this kind of thing.
Your biggest achievement in Fabrica?
Becoming a Senior Sudent. Haha!
What did you learn in Fabrica?
At Fabrica you are forced into spending a lot of time with other people, as well as meeting new people on a daily basis. That’s quite a unique experience. So through this I learned a lot about social interaction. In fact, I’ve developed a wide array of techniques on starting and ending conversations. Here’s a classic example of getting out of a boring conversation: Tilt your head, and say “Hmm, that’s interesting.” and walk away. Works every time.
Your favorite part about living in Italy?
I love the way old men (i vecchi) dress in Italy. So classic!
I also love how life in Italy revolves around eating. I savored Saturday afternoons in Treviso. Drifting from cafe to cafe in the morning, sipping espresso, drawing in my sketchbook. Then enjoying a long, delicious lunch in my cozy apartment. I’ll be jealous of this experience for the rest of my life, I think.
What will happen with Techno Tuesday?
Now that I’m all grown up, I’ll no longer be posting on this wonderful blog. Instead I’ll be posting directly to www.technotuesday.com.
Any last words for the Fabricanti?
Well, it’s all what you make of it here at Fabrica (or anywhere else for that matter). Don’t spend your time complaining about your boss. Instead utilize the resources here to your advantage. My personal mantra was always “Use the printer, and send a lot of post.” It’s free for chrissake!
Thank you Andy specially for posting every Tuesday your comic. Not once missed! Visit Andy’s website: www.andyrementer.com.

Eric Faggin leaves the building

Also Eric leaves us today. No philosophizing till late night anymore…

Image stolen from Chief Mag.
What have you been doing before Fabrica?
Before Fabrica I was a vegetable in a cubicle at a very nice company in the Silicon Valley. After that I was a vegetable in a school in Milan for a year.
What is the plan now?
I’m moving back to the United States and am heading back to university for a master’s degree.
Which was the best moment here?
Everytime spring rolls around, those couple of weeks before the real heat sets in.
What do you like about living in Italy?
My family, my friends, food and drinks, the countryside, the seasons, the people and their ridiculous fashion, Italian kindness, the pace of life.
Which is your favorite place in Treviso?
I really love the bike ride along the sile, though being as sedentary as I have been, I didn’t really take advantage of it enough. I love the area behind piazza dei signori, behind the pescheria, there’s a nice little sprawl of grass next to the river that’s a great place to plant yourself and do some thinking.
Last words?
(love)

Alex Purdy has left the building

Somebody is coming… somebody’s leaving. Our very best homie, Alex Purdy, has left us last week towards his homelands, Philly. Alex is a great flatmate, is known for his excellent trousers style, one of the best Illustrator I know. We all miss you Alex… What have you been doing before Fabrica? I was mainly not making money or much money for art/design work. Working to get by in various university jobs around Philadelphia, and exhibiting here and there. What is the plan now? Earn money freelancing, or doing fulltime design at a studio on the east coast. And do some proper partying (as the British would say). Which was the best moment here? Moments. Being a man of simple pleasures I enjoy those times when I’d get gelato, or have coffee and or pizza alone or with friends. Did you learn anything in Fabrica? Yep, I learned some stream of consciousness life lessons: Say what you mean Honesty is more appreciated then good intended kindness Clients are the test of a good designer A good deal of people don’t have good imaginations even those in positions that they should Censoring your thoughts and actions in regards to people is a not far step away from censoring your creative ideas It’s always good to have the ability to move, lack of comfort in different places enables one to reflect I am not Andy even though people say I am All art and design looks the same to those who don’t attempt to investigate it in-depth All Italians seem the same to those who don’t talk to them Photoshoping photos i.e. visual metaphors sucks and is the ultimate corny Man/Woman can’t live on work alone if they want to live a full sane life Just because someone says they’ll do something doesn’t mean they’ll do it Sometimes you need to bug people to point of irritation to get what you want Organization needs to be appreciated and awarded “I’m busy” means “I don’t want to hear you or do what you want me to do” People should be able to fart, burp and drink beer at work People should be able to work freely without people standing behind them and looking over their shoulder, a right that should be fought for People should not be able to play their Bjork or Motown music loud while others are working. “Diversity” means “Marketing pitch” If you have good karma your boss could possibly be demoted Smile when you say “arrivederci” How is it to live in Italy? I don’t know I just lived in Treviso, I wasn’t down with the whole stand around do nothing arrogant posh vibe. That’s just my nonspeaking Italian impression. Last words? What is Fabrica? Is it like work or is it a school?

Dress by Amélie, photo by Reed.

Lorenzo Vitturi is leaving the building

The man of the stripes, Lorenzo, is leaving us today.

Photo by Reed Young.
What have you been doing before Fabrica?
Before I was working as a set painter, for movies, in Venice and Rome.
What is the plan now?
I’m moving to the trend metropole London. Starting to be a famous photographer. Which kind? I call it constructive photgrapher. I don’t know if that makes sense in the English language.
Which was the best moment here?
Eating the pasta fagioli soup (of corse) in mensa. Ahh no, also the last party, when we danced for hours just in socks to quieted music, because of the complaining neighbours.
What did you learn in Fabrica?
I learned how to use iChat and Skype. I never used these communication tools before. Skype I just learned yesterday, so it took me one and a half year. Like that we can keep in touch.
What do you think about Treviso?
I really hate the posh Treviso people, they are the worst horrible, drunk, huge car driving idiots in whole Italy.
Last words?
Come to dance with me in Venice this Saturday night.

Juan Ospina leaves the building… Again!

The Wii man already did answer the questions a half year ago. Here an update: I was gone, then I was back, then I was supposed to go, then supposed to stay and now I am actually leaving. I say good bye to FABRICA (the building) with one final project release before heading out back to Colombia. To Fabricanti, I say, I saw most of you come and go, you are all great people, you are, in my opinion, the most interesting group of people that Treviso, or for that matter this country at least, will ever see. My only regret: I have to return mi Wii ’cause the games don’t work in Colombia. Damn video game industry. Visit Juan’s website: www.piterwilson.com

Merche Blasco has left the building

What did you do before coming to Fabrica? I was finishing my engineering studies in Madrid, getting to know what became my best friends that year: Solar cells! And composing in my bubble. What’s the plan now? First releasing the debut of burbuja, organizing some gigs, becoming famous and drowing in my huge swimmingpool from overdoze of apples… Your most priceless experience here? Fabricanti, of course. Your favorite part about living in Treviso? People by bike. Your least favorite part? People by car. Last words? Reflector vest in the market : 4 EUR, backlight : 3 EUR Miss u already!!!! Visit Merche’s (still unfinished) website: www.a100.tv/burbuja/

Marco Mucig has left the building

What did you do before coming to Fabrica? I am a creature of the wild. As a child I ran naked in fields. I was free and happy and then I was captured. I did not complain, my captors were fair and considerate; they gave me pens and cameras, they gave me notebooks and paper. I used those tools to create and explore in illustration, photograpy, video, and graphic design. I developed those skills further, working for Steinmannklinik (Helsinki, Finland), Studiocamuffo (Venice), and now with Fabrica. What’s the plan now? The plan is to keep my soul wild. To makes regular trips back to the mountains where I ride my snowboard, grill food and throw snowballs. Your most priceless experience here? Being part of a community, filled with great and inspiring people. What did you learn in Fabrica? To work hard on the things I really like. Your favorite part about living in Treviso? Biking in the morning and back home to clear my mind. Your least favorite part? The fog in the winter. Any last words for the Fabricanti? Poo is the new yo! Visit Marco’s website: www.snowgroup.net