Confini is an independent fanzine project conceived and curated by Fred Cigno that brings together photography, writing, illustration, and type design to reflect on borders in their many forms. Developed collaboratively by a group of creatives living in and around Cuneo, near the border between Italy and France, the project explores marginal spaces, lines of union and separation, and both real and imagined landscapes shaped by geography and lived experience.
Contributing to the first edition, Giulia Toscano designed Confini Sans, a bespoke typeface created specifically for the publication. The typeface was inspired by a trek Toscano undertook across the Alps in 2024, moving from Italy into France. This physical crossing of borders became a conceptual foundation for the letterforms, which were developed in close dialogue with the Confini logo. In the logo, two blocks of text are connected by a cursive lowercase “f”, acting as both a visual bridge and the signature gesture of the typeface.
From its opening pages, the publication frames its intent clearly: “Confini is a fanzine that gathers short intermedia narratives. It explores marginal places, lines of union and separation, real and imaginary landscapes, experiments, and reflections that challenge our expressive limits.” This statement underpins the structure of the zine, which combines short texts, photographic sequences, and illustrations into a loosely woven narrative that resists a single reading or hierarchy.
The first edition of Confini brings together contributions from a close local network. Texts and narratives were written by Stefano Marino, Serena Gamba, Elisa Dalmasso, Nicola Digirolamo, and Fred Cigno. Photography was provided by Fred Cigno and Nicola Digirolamo, while illustrations were created by Chiara Pittano. Toscano’s typographic work acts as the connective tissue across these disciplines, shaping how the project is read and navigated.
Extending beyond the printed pages, Confini also includes a self-produced, screen-printed tote bag. The tote features a poem by Giorgio Caproni on one side and an illustration by Chiara Pittano on the other, reinforcing the project’s interest in carrying literature and imagery into everyday, wearable contexts. The screen printing was produced collaboratively by Chiara Pittano and Giulia Toscano, maintaining the project’s emphasis on shared authorship and hands-on production.
Released in September 2024, the first edition of Confini has since sold out. The team is currently preparing a crowdfunding campaign to support a second edition, continuing the exploration of borders as both physical territories and conceptual spaces. Rooted in a specific place yet resonant beyond it, Confini demonstrates how independent publishing can function as a site for collective reflection, where design, language, and landscape intersect.
ARTIST LINKS
Project page: https://www.giuliatoscano.it/projects/confini.html?lang=en
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gt.giusto/
