Abstract
The paper describes a joint project developed by an experimental art centre, PAV, and the University of Turin, Italy, and discusses the inclusion of marginalised communities in urban areas. I present the realisation of a bottom-up approach to community engagement and show how co-creation can be meaningful to individuals ‘in need’. PAV is a park museum located in a former industrial area which aims to preserve industrial memories while regenerating space through landscape art. The project involves young people with mental disabilities attending sensory experience workshops to implement their cognitive abilities. The participants take part in a bio-art performance called BIOMA. The performance/workshop takes place during multiple sessions and allows them to understand the museum space and construe the memories of the industrial site. Art, images, experiences, nature and words blend into self-made exhibits. The participants develop their sense of community by exploring unconventional ways to communicate heritage. The project implements collaboration among institutions to support local communities in a suburb facing economic decline, ageing and deindustrialisation but at the same time experiencing a quick green renewal. The museum, in particular, explores forms of networking with ‘marginal’ citizens and how to respond to psychic frailty conditions. The project enhances interdisciplinarity and promotes academic research in unconventional settings.
Presenters
Silvia PiredduAssociate Professor, Dipartimento di Lingue, Letterature Straniere e Culture Moderne, Università di Torino, Torino, Italy
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Co-creation, Mental Disability, Community Engagement, Environment, Experimental Art, Park Museums
