(X) EDITION

The XX edition of MANIFESTVM was a 48-page statement piece, entirely printed on recycled paper and drenched in deep red hues, paying homage to the unmistakable aesthetic of Italian tabaccherias. Every page exuded the visual and tactile essence of these iconic spaces—where bureaucracy, vices, and secrets coexist behind the counter.

Created in collaboration with Inmotolus, this edition unraveled the hidden power structures of the Vatican, exploring its entanglement with mystery, control, and unresolved scandals. At its core, the issue dissected the case of Emanuela Orlandi, a 15-year-old girl who disappeared in 1983 in Vatican City under circumstances shrouded in secrecy. Over the years, her case has become emblematic of the opacity of the Vatican, tangled with conspiracy theories, political intrigue, and unanswered questions.

Through a mix of editorial analysis, striking visuals, and bold commentary, the XX edition turned the tabaccheria aesthetic into a metaphor: a place where transactions are made, but information remains locked behind counters—just like the truth behind the Vatican’s walls.