We’re Open

Bratislava Slovakia

In partnership with the Academy of Performing Arts, Bratislava and Dobry Trh and the Fulbright Commission of Slovakia
Developed with students of the Academy
Artist Collaborators: Theatre: Aurélie & Guillaume of Theatra; Poetry: Šimon Ondruš; Visual Art: Ivana Mlynárová & Aneta Hradilova of Smäd; Music: Gabi, Dance: Lujza Spáčilová; Cello Accompaniment: Veronika Ziskova

A semester of education in the approach to Arts for Social Renewal and the methodology it stands on resulted in a community participatory event which took place on May 5th. The intention of the event was three-fold: 1) to connect residents of the city to each other and open the possibility for new relationships to emerge; 2) to offer an opportunity for the creative capacity of the artists and the participants to be explored and shared and 3) to create a lived experience of the vision of Art for Social Renewal — that we live in a caring world that can be beautiful, fun, playful and connected when we intentionally structure opportunities to remember and live that way.

Over a course of a month we developed the theme of the event – “We’re Open” – and explored it with members of the community both intellectually and creatively. The final event began with 60 people at the theatre of the Academy where we introduced ourselves and explored the theme. We then traveled to the park. There we had another 10-20 passerby’s join us. The event was open to all. Each group spent an hour creating work that responded to the theme. We then brought everyone together and shared the work. From a gathering of strangers new friends were made, new collaborations discussed, and a local public space was given new life.

The video below shows a park full of creativity with the music, dance, theatre and poetry groups developing their work, followed by photos from the event.