Our last visit for this study abroad was Fabrica in Treviso, Italy. It is associated with United Colors of Benetton and is a midway between a class-based university and a workplace. We got a walking tour of the building, and a look into the different departments that the place has set up. The one most memorable part of the tour was the library, one of the most beautiful works of modern book cataloguing I have seen. I am a sucker for books, so this place was heaven on earth. It might not have had novels and fiction but that didn’t bother me. The rooms structured in a giant spiral that winded downwards with a staircase. Bookshelves and siting areas were fit into landings along the way. It was maybe three floors, hard to judge when there is no clear distinction, but the bookshelves were tall and extensive. They were lines with hordes and hordes of design research books, a few shelves stuffed with National Geographic books, and so much colour, it was overwhelming.
One thing we got to sit and look at was an edition of the Colors magazine, which is sadly not running anymore, where they mailed blank magazines to people around the world and had them fill it out with anything and everything. People filled the books up with personal photos, spray paint, yarn, their children’s drawings, and one was all about Islamic feminism. That one was my absolute favourite. It talked about how the choice for Islamic women to cover up is a statement of feminism not oppression. The book as filled with writing in Arabic calligraphy and drawings. It was really lovely to see that touch of diversity firsthand.
Hopefully in the future I can get an opportunity to apply and attend Fabrica after I graduate UT and gain some amazing experience from the faculty and resources available there.