By Giulia Piceni. Cover image courtesy of Frab’s Magazines.
Can print media survive in a digital world? As the digital age reshapes how we consume information, cool indie magazines aren’t just surviving—they’re thriving. And this is a very good news.
Milan, Lampo at Scalo Farini: in this vibrant industrial space, bathed in the soft late-summer light filtering through raw walls, students, aspiring writers, stylists, and editors gathered to inspire and fuel each other’s creative visions at Mag to Mag. Hosted by the niche store Frab’s Magazines, this free-entry event ignited creative sparks through engaging talks and open dialogues with magazine creators, discussing the state of the print industry.
This second edition of Mag to Mag focused on the theme of “sentimental intelligence” as the human response to the rise of artificial intelligence, positioning it as the key to protecting us from the pitfalls of mass media. Can the human mind remain active enough to distinguish reality from virtuality? To understand what is crafted by human hands versus machine-made? In today’s media landscape, magazines stand as the last bastion of incorruptible, uniquely human information.
Mag to Mag delved into what makes each editorial project unique, exploring the essence of what keeps them extraordinary and deeply human. It also examined the blending of boundaries between human and artificial intelligence, suggesting that these lines are meant to be intentionally crossed, as artificial intelligence is ultimately just an extension of human nature. Below is a selection of the most remarkable magazines our team discovered.
7 Indie Magazines I’ve discovered at Mag to Mag and want to collect them all
Trying to find answers in this AI-dominated world? Maybe MAIZE can help you
Since we were previously discussing AI, MAIZE is the perfect magazine to start the list with. It explores contemporary themes across various fields, from technology to the humanities. Each issue is a visual monograph dissecting a central theme through interviews, reports, stories, personal essays and images. The magazine features contributions from renowned technologists, philosophers, academics, and entrepreneurs, making it ideal for those who love open discussions, philosophical ideas and unconventional thinking. It’s also for those eager to discover new ways to develop foresight, find inspiration, make informed decisions, and engage in the process of innovation. All while staying true to our humanity.
If Illustration Is Your Obsession, Then Take a Look at Brillo Magazine
Imagine the iconic illustrated covers of The New Yorker but with ten times the vibrancy. Brillo Magazine, founded in 2020, is an independent publication dedicated to the ever-evolving world of illustration. Constantly on the lookout for emerging talent, Brillo not only showcases groundbreaking artists in its editorial content but also serves as a bridge between creatives and the most prestigious brands, helping them discover fresh, innovative voices. In a time when sustainability is not just a choice but an imperative, Brillo Magazine is proudly printed using 100% renewable energy sourced from photovoltaic panels.
20 SECONDS or “How to Survive in Our Fast-Paced World Through Art and Music”
20 Seconds is a print-only magazine dedicated to experimental music and art. It is created by and for designers, writers and photographers who crave more challenge and depth in what they read and see. As a response to the commonplace, sponsor-driven content and stock-photo-laden presentations we often encounter, it is an editorial product published twice a year, featuring original photography, long-form journalism, poetry and interviews. Relying entirely on the support of its readers, 20 Seconds seeks to create a community for discussion, debate and sharing, which is why the project is highly rooted in fluidity, with no borders to anything creative-related. Give this magazine a leaf-through: the content is so intriguing that your attention span will be longer than a 20-second TikTok.
Sexology, Psychology and Fashion Taboo Talks with (Nonna) Marlè
Is there a place safer than Nonna’s house? It’s a place where long conversations take place over freshly brewed coffee and buttery cookies from a tin box. Nonna always shares pearls of wisdom, whether it’s to mend a broken heart or to lift the mood on an off day. Marlè is a haven for free expression, unconditional love and nurturing care that mirrors this comforting atmosphere. Like the quiet but ever-present figure of Nonna Marlè, the magazine serves as a gentle guide, leading readers through its pages and introducing them to the inspiring words and images created by the bright minds behind each editorial project. Covering topics that range from psychology, sexology, critique, and fashion, the magazine’s content educates, surprises, captivates, and occasionally excites, showcasing traditional ideals of beauty alongside bold new figures who dare to explore eroticism and audacity, once seen as taboo. The muse behind it all is Nonna Marlè herself, a 70-year-old woman who proves that age is just a number.
Pellicola or Photography in Potential
The instant just before taking a photo holds within it the potential for countless final images. Every variable is considered, and they all converge in the single shot that follows – just one of many potential outcomes. Pellicola embodies this contemplative juncture before pressing the camera’s shutter button: a pause that separates us from the final photograph, as it undergoes the physical process of development. In this suspended moment, we take the time to reflect and question the visual field that plays such a central role in our daily lives. It allows us to slow down, to pause the images in front of us, and engage in a dialogue with them. Pellicola is a magazine dedicated to photography, offering both Italian and international perspectives. It explores various genres through the publication of exclusive content, and by showcasing the work of established and emerging worldwide photographers and it serves as a platform for their stories, investigating the evolving landscape of contemporary photography.
True Stories Are Off-the-Radar Ones, as CTRL Teaches
CTRL is a multifaceted artistic platform that seamlessly blends online content, a printed magazine and even its own publishing house, creating a rich cultural experience that spans literature and photography. Founded in 2009 in Bergamo, CTRL started as a fanzine and has since evolved. Still, its core mission remains the same: to shine a light on the hidden corners of the world, bringing attention to off-the-beaten-path places, overlooked stories and ordinary people with extraordinary narratives. Through a combination of photographic and written reportage, CTRL gives a voice to the unseen and unheard, creating a bridge between the audience and these untold tales. One particularly intriguing aspect of CTRL’s publishing house is its Le Latte series, a collection of photographs uniquely presented inside tin boxes.
Giving Voice While Dismantling Stereotypes: This and Much More Inside Pessima
Pessima is an independent annual publication based in Milan that serves as a central platform for representing transgender and non-binary individuals in contemporary art. The name, derived from a term often used disparagingly towards the trans* community, reclaims and redefines its meaning. With a focus on post-human and avant-garde art, Pessima showcases works that engage with and resonate beyond the LGBTQIA+ community. The publication’s mission is to elevate the understanding of gender and identity while also archiving contemporary artistic trends. Additionally, by fostering valuable connections, Pessima aims to provide both economic and artistic support to transgender and non-binary artists, offering opportunities for collaboration and growth. The publication also features an online platform with a distinct Y2K retro aesthetic, sure to ignite your nostalgia for the era.
