Do you remember Via Novi?
Of course!
Via Novi in the Tortona district, once known for being the home of the famous "Fabbricone," one of the epicentres of the occupations in the '70s, is now one of the streets in a constantly transforming neighborhood, becoming a peculiar hybrid between its rebellious past and a present influenced by fashion and digital trends.
When thinking about the old and charming Milanese district, vivid memories of a once vibrant community of anarchists, mystics, and politically engaged artists emerge. In the '70s, the Fabbricone embodied a new counterculture, being one of the first occupations of its kind. However, despite the vivid memories, the specific movement that gave life to this community remains a mystery.
Changes came in the '80s when the area witnessed the disappearance of old factories, including Ansaldo. New entrepreneurial realities emerged, such as a mechanical parts workshop, a copper and tin factory, and later on, studios frequented by renowned photographers Luchini and Ferri.
In a tale of transitions and transformations, Fabrizio added a touch of glamour by opening the Brat restaurant, which hosted international celebrities like Madonna and Sting. As the neighborhood enriched itself with photography studios, technological progress, especially with the advent of digital technology, marked a new chapter in its history.
The digital revolutionized the photography industry, making traditional studios less and less sought after. With the transformation of the neighborhood into a hub of fashion and glamour, the spacious venues attracted the FuoriSalone Fair, sparking a rush for renting the spaces.
However, this new direction also brought about social changes. Many long-time residents, attached to the neighborhood and its roots, chose to sell their homes at exorbitant prices and move elsewhere. The generational turnover introduced a different social fabric in the area.
The neighborhood still piques the interest of those wanting to learn about its history and meet people who can witness the changes it went through over time. In the Bocciofila and the tobacco shop, one can find people who lived closely through the transformations of Via Novi, sharing stories of life and change.
Despite challenges and changes, some establishments weathered the test of time, like Binari and its historic bar. The story of Via Novi is a testimony to the city's mutability and the people who inhabit it, continuously adapting to the challenges and tides of time.
what the archive is about
The Living Archive explores the potential of (post)industrial heritage to transform production in our cities. We collect stories with participatory heritage methods. The nodes for the local collection efforts are Fab City Hubs (FCH). The collection has been carefully assembled by FCH teams who have been learning about, co-creating and applying participatory heritage-making approaches, emotion networking methodology, oral history principles and creative perspective-taking. Select tags and categories to filter stories in the archive below. Explore their connections in the network graph.
