New performative spaces in the green areas of the city(dialogo)
The project is a civic space that allows the Venetian public to express and enjoy various art forms, such as visual and performing arts. The theme is delineated by three basic needs of people living in a city like Venice: Rest, Culture, and Conviviality. All this is in a green and multifunctional space that allows the needs of those who want to express themselves with their art to be met. The aim is to promote encounters in an environment that welcomes culture and the beauty of conviviality.
Cross-border/international
Italy
Italy
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Isola delle Vignole, Venezia (VE), Italy
It addresses urban-rural linkages
It refers to other types of transformations (soft investment)
No
No
As an individual in partnership with other persons
First name: Matteo Last name: Stefanuto Gender: Male Age: 23 Please attach a copy of your national ID/residence card:
By ticking this box, I certify that the information regarding my age is factually correct. : Yes Nationality: Italy Address (country of permanent residence for individuals or address of the organisation)<br/>Street and number: Via Pordenone 61 Town: San Vito al Tagliamento Postal code: 33078 Country: Italy Direct Tel:+39 366 785 9366 E-mail:m.stefanuto@stud.iuav.it
Around Theater is a civic space that embraces art and performance as a way for redevelopment of the Vignole island’s park, in the Venice lagoon. The project consists in a system of open air stages made to host the local community with the purpose of meeting, performing, and enjoying various exhibitions of arts.
In detail the system is composed of two circular stages with different dimensions: one is a full circle, framed inside a structure that supports lightning and set design, the other is built around a century old tree that gives a natural scenography. The third stage is not built but enhances the awe of the bamboo forest, here the spectators can relocate the benches as they wish. The design choice aims to integrate in the island’s nature and enhance its features and the project itself is an object of land art.
Urban revitalization
Creative placemaking
Community development
Art and culture-based economy
Heritage preservation and promotion
The project aims to develop a new sense of community and belonging for the lagoon territory and the inhabitants. Sustainability includes the social aspect, heading towards an improvement of the quality of life, in particular the gathering of people from all ages and backgrounds. During the years, spaces dedicated to art in the Venice context are now more than ever run by private institutions and designated to host big exhibitions that do not concern the venice community. The goal is to create a place of inclusion and development of artistic practices that arises from below. Furthermore other aspects regarding sustainability are reflected in the materials choices and low impact process of construction, compatible with the policy of the island. In detail the material choices for the structures fell on recycled materials from other exhibitions and recycled plastic for the benches and other elements.
The targets that the concept sets itself aim in aesthetic terms at a formal elegance given by the finishes of the materials and the shapes of the stages. Through the use of noble materials with high aesthetic and practical performance, the aim is to redevelop the space by giving a new meaning and favoring the re-appropriation of an unused space in favor of the community. The predominant color is white used for the stages and the seats that frame them, while galvanized steel characterizes the structures that house sets and lights, through which an enveloping atmosphere is created.
Connecting the various areas is a path that accompanies spectators and artists, framed by aromatic and typical plants of the region. The path directs but does not force so that the visitor can make full use of the spaces. The island is therefore proposed as a place of cultural exchange, personal growth and exchange of ideas for the community.
Currently the space under consideration is managed by an association of Venetians who propose a goal of environmental reorganization to develop initiatives of knowledge and enhancement of the territory. Thanks to these agreements, the area assumes vital importance for the community: through self-management, various cultural events can be programmed with the aim of hosting various forms of art and offering people the opportunity to express themselves.
The elements proposed in the project constitute an abode of the arts and also recall the sense of community: citizens gather to celebrate the passion or the self expression of one of them.
This project aims to provide a space where all citizens can express themselves through art. Three different spaces are designed to meet the needs of the artist that choose between performing arts and exhibition of their works. Here the performers can dialogue with the spectators, put themselves on the line and emerge, a possibility that is not granted inside the cities. Due to the interchange of ideas between the Venetian citizens that inhabit the island, one may discover new potentials which lead to a regeneration of the island's activities and new horizons for the inhabitants.
The project is located in an area given in concession to a local association, this choice was made for the shared interest of returning an abandoned area to the city in order to benefit from it in cultural and community terms. This first insertion represents a starting point, being a solution built to be easily applicable, the region and the national context could give citizens this space and therefore lead to a redevelopment. Thanks to the involvement of these parties, it will be possible to bring the plan of interest to other national and non-national realities.
To preserve the essence of the place, we started by studying the history of the island and the community that lives on it. Starting from these assumptions, we contacted some local artists and associations through the university. Once the art, graphics and creative committee had outlined a detailed picture of the work, we collaborated directly with local artists using their creative style, knowledge and ability to make these specific works usable. Art can certainly facilitate the creation of a community. By highlighting the themes that bring people together, such as well-being and nature, fun and imagination, art strives to create a sense of unity and collective consciousness. Our design team is dedicated to developing experiences that bring members and communities together. In the post-pandemic era, creating connections with other people is really important and art in urban spaces can facilitate the achievement of this goal, as it gives a sense of togetherness and belonging.
In our case, the local community has assumed a role of fundamental importance for the realization of the project. After discussing with the representatives of the local association, it was decided to enhance the island of Vignole by making it a host place for artistic performances. In an era of great technological progress in which the concept of speed is a cornerstone, it would be interesting to think about a place that exudes tranquility and contemplation. In our case, the meaning of "abandonment" must not be understood in a negative way, but on the contrary it must be a prerogative in order to better learn what revolves around the "Around Theater" project.
Each element that makes up the project, that is the stages, the seats and the structures for the lights and wings, were designed using standard materials and methods, with the aim of being replicated elsewhere. Specifically, the stage consists of a steel supporting structure anchored to the ground and then covered with a walkable material suitable for artistic performances. The benches were designed in recycled plastic plates joined by screws. The structures for the lights, on the other hand, are made up of standard steel pipes for constructions joined by mechanical joints, to facilitate transport and assembly.
Starting from a case of urban renewal on a local scale, the aim is to create a system that can also be replicated in other contexts, even very different ones such as suburbs or abandoned areas of the city. From a local context such as the island of Vignole in Venice, the design idea can be adapted to other national and international areas. The intent of the designers lies in providing artists and performers in general with a multifunctional space in which they are free to express their art while respecting the place that hosts them. In the same way, the residents of the Vignole themselves have the opportunity to bring out the potential of the place by hosting such spaces that welcome the culture and beauty of conviviality.
