As part of the research project {LesFablem} Fable, Emblem, Poem, Performance : Renaissance Word and Image Tales (FNS 218082), six workshops are offered which investigate word and image narratives according to the representative genres of fable, emblem, poem and performance in the Renaissance as a model to reflect upon creativity in the current time. The workshop series, Fable, Rebus, Emblem} Source, Material, Image (AY 2024-2025) and Poem, Performance, Event} Word, Digital, Context (AY 2025-2026) address the different types of textual and visual narratives through theoretical and practical sessions led by experts in the digital humanities field. The practical sessions aim to train students in technical skills useful for the realization of a digital project.

The second series, Poem, Performance, Event} Word, Digital, Context, consists of three events: W1 Poem} Word; W2 Performance} Digital; W3 Event} Context. W1 Poem} Word | Linked open data in intermedial poems offers an overview on the origin and metamorphosis of intermedial poems by investigating their composition thanks to linked open data and semantic web tools; W2 Performance} Digital | From augmented realities to (digital) visual performance explores adaptations of early modern performances in the contemporary context by means of VR, AR, and videomapping installations, to then reflect on their digital communication in today visual culture; W3 Event} Context | Fluid layouts and the creative industry is devoted to the showcase and collaborative production of material and digital artist books as a means to reenact early modern intermedial workshop strategies in the contemporary creative industry. The first two events will be held at the Università della Svizzera italiana and the Biblioteca universitaria Lugano, whilst the last event will be held at the Catholic University of Milan.

Each event is divided into two sessions. The first session consists in the theoretical introduction to the theme and the digital tools analysed with lectures by guest professionals and experts in the digital humanities fields. The second session consists of guided hand-on laboratories diversified by level and conducted by tutors and workshop leaders. In between the events students will work independently on their own projects by means of individual and group tutoring sessions. During the workshops students will acquire competences that will allow them to employ digital tools and apply them to their own research concerning the analysis of textual and visual sources; present their research in material and digital formats; conceive and publish their own digital archives, editions, exhibits, and artist books.

No prior knowledge is required to attend the series. Participants should prepare for each workshop by downloading the digital tools required and working on the exercises introduced during the previous meeting. It is possible to attend one or more events within the series. Workshops are primarily aimed at Bachelor, Master, and doctoral students, and the academic community. Participation online and onsite is free and open to the public. Please send a brief c.v. with expression of interest to: giuditta.cirnigliarousi.ch; digital0materialgmail.com by March 20, 2026. For more information: https://www.usi.ch/en/feeds/34036.

Course director
Giuditta Cirnigliaro

Guest lecturers
Lorenzo Cantoni (USI ITDxC)
Raffaele Carlani (Progetto Katatexilux)
Claudia Corbetta (Università Cattolica di Milano)
Maria Grazia Fanchi (Università Cattolica di Milano)
Giovanni Ferrario (Università Cattolica di Milano)
Marco Passarotti (Università Cattolica di Milano)
Charlotte Stachel (USI ITDxC)
Carlo Vecce (Università degli Studi di Napoli L’Orientale)

Workshop leaders | Tutors
Libri Finti Clandestini & 5X Letterpress Lab
Chiara Cauzzi (USI Biblioteca universitaria Lugano)
Giuditta Cirnigliaro (USI Istituto di studi italiani)
Angelica Federici (USI Istituto di studi italiani)
Immacolata Iaccarino (USI Istituto di studi italiani)
Gavino Scala (USI Istituto di studi italiani)
Carolina Truzzi (USI Università degli studi di Padova)

Schedule

Workshop 1 - Poem} Word
Istituto di studi Italiani | Biblioteca universitaria Lugano, Biblioagorà (Campus Est) - Università della Svizzera Italiana
Friday March 27, 2026, 9.30-13
Speakers: Claudia Corbetta (Università Cattolica di Milano), Marco Passarotti (Università Cattolica di Milano), Carlo Vecce (Università L’Orientale di Napoli)
Workshop leaders: Chiara Cauzzi (USI Biblioteca universitaria Lugano), Giuditta Cirnigliaro (USI Istituto di Studi Italiani), Gavino Scala (USI Istituto di Studi Italiani)

Workshop 2 - Performance} Digital
Istituto di tecnologie digitali per la comunicazione ITDxC, Room 402 (Campus Ovest) - Università della Svizzera Italiana
Friday April 24, 2026, 9.30-13
Speakers: Raffaele Carlani (Progetto Katatexilux), Lorenzo Cantoni (USI ITDxC), Charlotte Stachel (USI ITDxC)
Workshop leaders: Giuditta Cirnigliaro (USI Istituto di Studi Italiani), Angelica Federici (USI Istituto di Studi Italiani), Carolina Truzzi (Università degli Studi di Padova)

Workshop 3 - Event} Context
Alta Scuola in Media, Comunicazione, Spettacolo, Room SF.109 and Room SA.323 - Università Cattolica di Milano
Friday May 15, 2026, 9.30-15.30
Speakers: Giuditta Cirnigliaro (USI Istituto di Studi Italiani), Maria Grazia Fanchi (Università Cattolica di Milano), Giovanni Ferrario (Università Cattolica di Milano)
Workshop leaders: Libri Finti Clandestini & 5X Letterpress Lab, Giuditta Cirnigliaro (USI Istituto di Studi Italiani), Immacolata Iaccarino (USI Istituto di Studi Italiani)

Workshop curated by:
Giuditta Cirnigliaro (USI Istituto di Studi Italiani)
As part of the project {LesFablem} Fable, Emblem, Poem, Performance : Renaissance Word and Image Tales (FNS 218082) and the initiative {DiMa} Digital | Material

Scientific Investigator
Giuditta Cirnigliaro (USI Istituto di studi italiani)

Executive Board
Giuditta Cirnigliaro (USI Istituto di studi italiani)
Angelica Federici (Fondazione Bruno Kessler)
Leonardo Impett (Cambridge Digital Humanities | Bibliotheca Hertziana)
Valeria Federici (National Gallery of Art)

Scientific Committee
Marco Maggi (USI Istituto di studi italiani)
Riccardo Blumer (USI Accademia di architettura)
Carla Mazzarelli (USI Istituto di storia e teoria dell’arte e dell’architettura)
Katharina Lobinger (USI Istituto di Tecnologie Digitali per la Comunicazione)
Maria Grazia Fanchi (Alta Scuola in Media, Comunicazione e Spettacolo, Università Cattolica di Milano)
Alexander Marr (University of Cambridge)

With the support of
Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF)

With the participation of
Istituto di studi italiani, Università della Svizzera Italiana
Accademia di architettura, Università della Svizzera Italiana
Istituto di Storia e teoria dell’arte e dell’architettura, Università della Svizzera Italiana
Istituto di Tecnologie Digitali per la Comunicazione, Università della Svizzera Italiana
Alta Scuola in Media, Comunicazione e Spettacolo, Università Cattolica di Milano
Cambridge Digital Humanities, University of Cambridge
Bibliotheca Hertziana - Max Planck Institute