Abstract
The research presents a paradigm in the village of Lympia (Cyprus), bordering the buffer zone, where over the last three years residents have begun to reclaim their public spaces, adding colour and energy through artistic interventions. Without any warning on social media, residents gathered at project sites and spread the word of the interventions by word of mouth. To date, every project outing has turned into a street party, uniting the community and promoting respect towards public spaces. The aim of this study is to understand the changing role of public spaces in the growing pace of the 21st century, with almost all operations going electronic/digital, and where interpersonal relationships have begun to erode. Society has become alienated and values such as mutual help, coexistence, socialization, selfless giving, and respect seem to be disappearing concepts. When the act of social interaction declines, our social bonds become increasingly impersonal, eventually reducing our skills and methods of communication. Through the demonstrated projects this presentation shows how a back to basics approach to participatory and artistic design revitalized a village and its community, encouraging it to be a center for all as well as a touristic landmark which now invites numerous villages and encourages new economic ventures for the inhabitants.
Presenters
Pavlina PlatonosStudent, PHD, Frederick University, Cyprus Anna Merry
Assistant Professor, Department of Arts and Communication, Frederick University, Cyprus
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
ART, PUBLIC SPACE, COMMUNITY, SOCIAL INTERACTION, PARTICIPATORY DESIGN
