GARDENTOPIA // MATERA 2019
ABOUT MATERA 2019
We have been invited by @matera2019, the European Capital of Culture 2019 funded by the European Union to create a sight specific project for the initiative @gardentopiamatera conceived by the curator Pelin Tan. Gardentopia gives artists the ability to re-imagine regional gardens in Matera nearby villages in order to create social link and innovative projects with/for inhabitants.
DISCOVERING RAPONE
Before imagining a project for the Basilicata region, it was important for us to start our workshop journey with a research trip in order to truly understand the unknown context and locals habits, needs and dreams . On August 2019 , we then went for 5 intense days on a research adventure where we discovered the profound history and beauty of Matera through sightseeing and an archival exhibition at I-DEA, curated by Forma Fantasma. We’ve had the ability to come across the traditional rites and crafts of Matera and the villages nearby.
For Matera 2019, ABOUT A WORKER has been asked to collaborate with the commune of RAPONE , a village of 900 people, which has sustained a verbal fables tradition for over 500 years. Raponeses have invented their own characters and tales in order for local children to respect rural rules. During our trip we have had the chance to meet with the administration and the villagers. On our first meeting we found out that lots of locals were autodidacts artists and all had an interest for creative happening. Their dream? For Rapone to become a cultural destination. We also met with many local craftsmen, once workers and today using their skills to express themselves.
THE FESTIVAL ESTABLISHMENT
After our trip we realised that their tales should become visible in order for locals to make their stories famous. As Rapone was full of local creatives we decided to collaborate with them on different levels.For this project, our aim was not to design, but to showcase the many talents of the small town. We have put in shape a festival aiming to visualise the fables tradition through the eyes and crafts of Rapone's villagers. From makeup to set design, passing by dance, music and costumes, the whole event was created by the various talents of the commune.
We then held on November 9th 2019 t 250 people came and discovered the tales of Rapone expressed by local talents. A moment showcasing that everybody has the ability to become an artist with a bit of trust, intuitive imagination and craft dedication !
THE SET DESIGN
The Set Design was created by Two metal craftsmen , Pietro Pietrelli and Pasquale.
We asked Pietro to interpret the atmosphere of Rapone's fairytale in order to create a set design for the festival we organized. His metal sculpture will remain as a public artwork for the town and will be staying in the municipal garden. We asked Pasquale to create a scene which will remain in a municipal garden. A platform for self-expression which can be used for self-expression unconditionally !
THE COSTUME
The costume were designed by 8 local women with amazing couture skills! They had 5 days to create a concept and produce 7 costumes.
They then created 2 sided costumes. On the front side : their interpretation of their favorite characters with geometrical shapes . On the back side a part of the MANOLONGA , a local fable snake. When the dresses were assembled together, the whole snake appeared looking as a unity while each textures and patterns were different.
THE MAKEUP
Veronica that we met on the research trip, volunteered to be the makeup artist of the night ! she interpreted many textures of the local snake on the dancers face.
THE PERFORMANCE
We asked the Dance Teacher of the village Maria to imagine a performance with her 7 dance students. She created a choreography and music telling the story of the MANOLONGA tale.
