Abstract

The seminar is the first in the series organized within the Euregio project “CRAFTS - The role of culture, creativity and architecture in shaping society”. The project aims at exploring the role of cultural, creative and artistic practices in changing society and in raising democratic awareness and participation, at a time when democracy is threatened by several developments of the socio-political reality we live in. To such an aim, interdisciplinarity is key.

This opening seminar of the cycle, held in Trento on 3-4 April 2025, involves scholars from different fields of research –ranging from human-computer interaction, to participatory design, to interactionist sociology–  but also practitioners in the arts and cultural production. The seminar offers three talks, followed by expert discussions and Q&A, plus a creative workshop led by an artist and engaging seminar participants in co-performing. The talks tackle social change and the transformative potential of co-creation and performance from different interdisciplinary perspectives (not only the seminar as a whole, but also each contribution draws from several research areas), with particular attention to the collective imagining that can sustain eco-social innovation and future-design. Drawing on “historical” recipes taken from the famous “L’Artusi” cooking manual, and including exploration of the city space, the workshop drags participants-performers into an embodied reflection on the concept of rules and their role in social life.

Programme

April 3

16:00 - Room 20, second floor

Ann Light (University of Sussex & Malmo University): Creative practices as a force for change

Discussant: Roberto Farneti (Free University of Bolzano-Bozen)  

17:45 Short break

18:00 - Meeting Room 2, second floor

Creative workshop and co-performing, led by Emanuele Enria

Afterwards, a walk in the city.

April 4

11:00 - Room 20, second floor

Andy Peruccon (Malmo University): Festivals, generative thresholds and social transformation

11:30 -  Room 20, second floor

Chiara Bassetti (University of Trento): The transformational potential of co-performing     

12:15 General discussion led by Benedetta Carlotti (Free University of Bolzano-Bozen)

13:00 Closing