The Municipality of Cerisano – Museo M. Fingesten in collaboration with the Calabrese Institute for the History of Anti-Fascism and Contemporary Italy announces the first edition of the International Competition dedicated to the Ex Libris "Michel Fingesten"
The Competition proposes to Italian and foreign artists and artists to try their hand at engraving and digital techniques to create multiples on paper, small and aimed at characterizing the owner of the book, hence ex libris, that is, «from books», signs, images, words expressing the characteristics of the owner of the book and client of the ex libris.
What ex libris are
An ex libris is a label or stamp that applies to a book to indicate its owner. The term comes from the Latin ex libris meis, meaning "from my books".
Who was M. Fingesten?
Michel Fingesten (April 18, 1884 – October 8, 1943) was a Czech painter and engraver of Jewish origin. He is considered one of the greatest ex libris artists in history
The Municipality of Cerisano intends to affirm its commitment to enhancing cultural and artistic heritage, promoting dialogue between past and present.
The Calabrese Institute for the History of Anti-Fascism and Contemporary Italy adheres to develop greater awareness of the contribution of all to the global progress of Humanity to the importance of artistic and literary heritage
To participate it is necessary to send the ex libris no later than 30 August 2025 via a certified mail address to protocollo.comune.cerisano@amecepc.it
The selection will be organized in December at Palazzo Sersale, Museum M. Fingesten.
Regulation
- The Municipality of Cerisano – Museo M. Fingesten in collaboration with the Calabrese Institute for the History of Anti-Fascism and Contemporary Italy announces the first edition of the International Competition dedicated to the EX LIBRIS "Michel Fingesten"
- The first edition of the Prize is part of the wider Cerisano Factory – Borgo Swing project, supported by the Ministry of Culture within the PNRR – Next Generation EU,
- Each artist can participate by sending one or two ex libris, in 7 copies each, numbered and signed; carried out using the following techniques: calcography, xylography, serigraphy, computer graphics and reproduced in compliance with the rules of originality of art printing, the matrices must be engraved, drawn or painted manually.
- The maximum size of the ex libris is 12 x 9 cm of the matrix or plate and 14,5 x 21 cm of the sheet. Each work must be marked: Ex-Libris M. Fingesten Museum, Municipality of Cerisano.
- The jury is composed by Prof. Carlo Fanelli, ‘Istituto Calabrese per la Storia dell’Antifascismo e dell’Italia Contemporanea
- The selection of Ex-Libris will be set up at Palazzo Sersale – Museo M. Fingesten – Corso Carmine n. 59 Cerisano, Italy, in October 2025 and will be open to the public for 3 months.
- The vernissage will hold 15 December at 6.30 pm at Palazzo Sersale – Museo M. Fingesten – Corso Carmine n. 59 Cerisano, Italy, and the promotion of the event will be distributed in press releases on national newspapers and partner sites.
- Participation in the competition is free. .
- Send to protocollo.comune.cerisano@amecepc.it – 7 prints of each ex libris (max 2), signed and numbered without frame; a short resume (max 10 lines); not later than 30.08.2025_-. Non si accetterà materiale oltre la data indicata .
- Eventuale documentazione integrativa dell’artista, foto, cataloghi, saggi critici potrà essere inviata al medesimo indirizzo; tutti i materiali non saranno restituiti.
- La partecipazione al concorso implica l’accettazione incondizionata di tutte le regole illustrate nel bando e costituisce il consenso al trattamento dei dati personali, ai sensi del D. Lgs. 196/2003 e del regolamento UE 2016/679, nonché alla pubblicazione degli stessi ai fini della divulgazione dell’evento.
