Unknown lands

The project involves the realization of an artistic course structured in 25 meetings of 3 hours each in experimental research that, via an inclusive workshop, joins the language of theater with that of cinema, which the participants use to imagine, build and share ideal utopias where they can have a better life.

The workshop starts with the concept of working on a hole in the imagination with the aim of stimulating the creation of a different and possible imaginary reality to help cope with the current one. After the first meetings, which are dedicated to the creation of a group and the sharing of first reflections, each participant collaborates in the construction of a character and his/her biography in order to build an imaginary, collective memory. Finally, using participatory videos, the participants create a story based on this place, its mores and customs and the memories of its inhabitants, by putting together the various materials created during the first sessions.

The artistic activities become a means to overturn stereotypes based on the accepted standards of beauty and enable new images of one’s body, psyche and relationship with food. In fact, the workshop activities involve the entire human being, body and mind. These activities require not only intellectual work connected with the creation of an artistic product but also, and especially, practical work that is physical and concrete. In this way, art can become an element of the union between psyche and body which, particularly when dealing with eating disorders, are separate.

The outcome of the Workshop gave rise to the installation ‘Unknown Lands – (Flor)’ during the ‘Sempre più Fuori’ festival curated by Cranpi at the Goethe Institut in Rome from 15 to 19 July 2024.