Matthew Crawford used to teach philosophy at an important political studies institute in Washington. Tired of his highly remunerative job, he gave it all up and opened a motorbike repair shop.
In his book “Shop class as soulcraft: an inquiry into the value of work” he recounts his experience and demonstrates that repairing things with one’s hands may encourage awareness in consumption, a better relationship with one’s environment, and emancipation from being enslaved to a concealed and obscure technology; in other words, great medicine for the soul.
Like Crawford, Amos Paul Kennedy, after having studied mathematics and worked for twenty years as system programmer and analyst for companies such as At&t e Ibm, started experimenting printing with movable type using his first printing machine, received as a gift, thus rediscovering manual work.
When I read the stories of these characters, I was relieved: I figured I wasn’t crazy, I was just tracing the footsteps of others before me. The only difference is that I still work as graphic designer, not only for my agency’s clients but also for myself. So I experiment, do handiwork, print, pack, unload, talk with manufacturers, and so much more. The Typuglia projects aims at becoming more than just a brand of typical Apulian products. I am not at a loss of ideas! Everything in due time.
The major point I would like to get across is that the Typuglia project would have never come to life without the collaboration of many friends and acquaintances who have believed in this folly. Therefore, I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation to Roll and the entire team (the site is fantastic!), the suppliers, the manufacturers, my friend and colleague Mauro Bubbico (an inexhaustible source of stories and ideas, not to mention the fact that he introduced me to Matthew Crawford!), lalalab (designers with a future as copywriters!), Pinuccio Pomo (words, words, words), Mario Colasuonno (a rookie photographer on the road to success), Antonio and Roberto Tartaglione (professional photographers, who have been travelling that road for years!), Nunzio D’Arcangelo, Lucia Leonardi and Aiap, AN.SE. (Annalisa and her team of speedy translators!), and do hope not to have forgotten anyone. Thank you!
