Can a magazine still be a device for public and critical discussion?

“Ephemera”, from the ancient Greek, means “transient things”, “things not meant to be preserved”. This term is used in archival science to define objects that lack common characteristics and cannot be classified as a separate commodity sector. “ephemerə: capsules of contemporary queerness” is an independent periodical magazine inspired by this very concept, giving voice to those identities and subcultures that do not want to be categorized, or are excluded because they are deemed “different” from the conventional.

This editorial project serves as a meeting point and “round table” for the discussion of issues related to the queer debate embedded in contemporary culture. With an open and inclusive gaze, “ephemerə” is, in fact, committed to documenting, contextualizing and observing current phenomena that involve the world of graphic design, art and visual culture in general.

The central body of each issue of the magazine is a choral conversation with experts, researchers, designers, creatives, queer activists, who help the reader to adopt fresh perspectives on the topics covered.

This thesis project consists of the first two pilot issues of the magazine, each focusing on a specific case study. Issue zero deals with topics such as cultural agitation and activism, but especially the memory of the LGBTQIA+ community through queer subculture archives. Issue one discusses the phenomenon of fashion activism, with a focus on the attitude that Italian fashion brands have regarding the LGBTQIA+ issue.