Magnetite Project

Magnetite is a photographic book exploring a not-so-glossy side of Italian culture ironically printed on a super glossy coated paper. Digitally printed by F.E. Burman in a limited edition of 150 copies, the book sold out immediately upon release.

The dominant idea behind Magnetite is the exploration of Lido degli Estensi, an Italian seaside town, through the lens of photographer Charlie Kwai and creative director Marco Minzoni. Inspired by Charlie’s previous work on coastal towns in the UK and Marco’s personal childhood connection with Lido degli Estensi, the project aimed to capture the essence of the place and its meaning to seasonal migrants, those who return on summer year after year. The title “Magnetite” reflects this idea of returning to a familiar place, drawing parallels to animals using magnetism to come back to their birthplace. It also symbolizes the dual identity of the project, as the word is spelled the same in both Italian and English.

Magnetite aimed to present to an international audience a less glamorous and more authentic portrayal of Italian holidays, showcasing a subculture that is often overlooked. The execution of the project involved two years of photography, with sessions in August 2022 and July 2023. The photographs, shot with a Fuji X System, were mainly spontaneous, capturing the slow but genuine rhythm of the Lido.

One of the most challenging aspects of the project was the physical demands of shooting all day from early morning to late night to capture the full experience of life in Lido degli Estensi. From breakfast in a bar, to sunbathing and swimming at the beach, fritto misto for lunch and maybe a quick coffee before a nap, and then back to the beach for more tanning, aperitivo at the resort’s bar, dinner on the main avenue, drinks until late and maybe some dancing.

The book cover, made from coloured sunbed fabrics sourced from the local Ombrellificio Magnani in Rimini, adds a unique touch of authenticity. Our Fedrigoni Symbol Freelife Gloss was chosen for its glossiness and ability to reproduce sharp images. It was important to see the details of the most chaotic images.

The production of the book required hands-on involvement from Charlie and Marco, including collating sections, punching covers, and hand-binding each book. With Magnetite selling out immediately, plans for a potential reprint are in the works, while Charlie and Marco already contemplate their next photographic adventure, perhaps venturing into colder landscapes for their next project.