What's new? EPISODE 3 - A new way of exploring museums
In order to enhance the value of a territory, firstly it is necessary to tell its story. And theatre, with the support of innovative narrative methodologies such as Silent Play, becomes an effective tool for narrating a territory and promoting sustainable and inclusive forms of cultural tourism.
The Silent Play project offers theatrical and multimedia itineraries that recount the beauty of places and the stories in an innovative and engaging way.
While the spectators wear radio guides, a live voice narrates, questions and accompanies the participants in their exploration of the site, or sites, they are visiting. Everyone is free to choose the best perspective and distance, having the possibility to walk, sit on the ground, observe and get involved. A game, a useless time, accompanied by words from philosophers, artists and anthropologists. A small journey into the boundless land of possible relationships.
The Silent Play itineraries represent a real opportunity to boost tourism in a city or district and/or specific site, offering visitors new experiences of discovery and knowledge of places. In fact, it is possible to discover different territories by enhancing the artistic, architectural, landscape and social heritage of Italy.
The Silent Play, appeared on the international scene less than 10 years ago, is the fruit of the union of different skills made available by a multidisciplinary team using art, theatrical language and other specific skills identified each time in relation to the theme addressed. For the creation of the dramaturgy, reproduced in the theatrical itinerary, the active and participatory involvement of the citizens of the area covered by the story is fundamental.
In fact, the local community plays a crucial role not only in the creation of the story but also in the development, representation and enhancement of the cultural and environmental heritage. In particular, it is the holder of local knowledge, traditions, memories and, above all, material and immaterial contents that risk disappearing with the passage of time.
In order to make the whole story as close to reality as possible, two main tools are used: social research through the creation of community maps and theatre animation through autobiographical workshops and community storytelling.
Three fundamental steps lead to the realisation of Silent Play:
- The first step involves a workshop with the local community with the aim of informing citizens about the need to open a participatory campaign to collect content.
- In the second step, the contents will be collected, both material and immaterial, through interviews and focus groups in the field, direct analysis of documents and a platform where everyone can upload testimonies, audio, photos, videos, etc.. The campaigns will be addressed to inhabitants, associations, operators and local institutions.
- Finally, during the third workshop, the results of the participatory planning will be given back to the citizens, and the stages of the process activated will be retracted by sharing the contents collected. The feedback from the citizens will also be fundamental, in relation to the methods implemented and the contents that emerged.
Silent Play is an innovative tool which is used by the SMART project for the promotion of cultural and environmental heritage in small museums and significant landscape and cultural aspects. In particular, in the 4 pilot sites of the project (Valdagno, Resia, Saalfelden and Parcines) it will be tested to promote the beauty and knowledge of places from an accessible perspective.
Essential is the vast and unique experience of the project partner, La Piccionaia, which will make its expertise available to the consortium to elaborate and construct content with the aim of breaking down sensory, motor and cognitive barriers.
SMART is funded by the European Regional Development Fund and Interreg V-A Italy-Austria 2014-2020