The title of the project is inspired by the famous phrase “Diversis gentibus una” (a nation of different people), written on the first coin minted by the Grand Duke of Tuscany for the city of Livorno in 1606.
Livorno, by its historical foundation, has the traits of a multi-ethnic city where migrants, called for its population through the Livornine Laws issued by the Medici in 1593, have reproduced in the territory the architecture and sacred places of their community of origin with settlement dynamics on the territory composed of homogeneous ethnic communities.
This theme is now analyzed in contemporary reality through children, in a multicultural context in which these new generations form and will form the new social fabric of cities.
The idea for these video installations comes from the work carried out by Nicola Buttari who taught in class 4B Benci between 2022 and 2023. During the year, in parallel with the ministerial program, it proposed and implemented a series of artistic activities with the aim of Introducing children to art with a focus on street art and digital art, promoting the understanding of urban art as a tool for social inclusion and promoting creativity and artistic expression of children through drawing and photography. In May 2023, the photography course curated by Martino Chiti was created, within the existing project of permanent photography laboratories, which concluded with the creation of an urban installation in Piazza Guerrazzi.
SALA DEGLI ARCHI
Laboratory for photographic memory
The “A. Benci Photographic Memory Laboratory”, curated by Martino Chiti and active since 2020, is a long-term educational photography project to build an archive over time through the eyes of children. Enrich yourself with their point of view by observing their growth. Photography courses as learning to critical vision that allows you to freely represent what surrounds you and finally create photo exhibitions and video installations to become aware of the work done.
TUNNEL
Free wall
The boys and girls of 4B Benci experimented in class with the techniques and basic concepts of street art during their free time, using a dedicated panel.
This video installation is a collage of their work. The sounds that make up the audio track were also composed by the students of 4B Benci during the electronic music course created by Niccolò Mazzantini and Nicola De Luca, who then reworked the entire track.
SALA DEL FORNO
Avatars
During art lessons, the boys and girls of 4b Benci, learned the basics of drawing fantasy characters starting from photos of themselves to transform them into “avatars”.
The project aims to give an awareness of themselves through art.
This process aims to provide them with the input necessary to develop those passions that in the future can transform into skills, giving a window on the digital world (social, games and metaverse) in a conscious, constructive and educational way.
PIAZZA GUERRAZZI
Collage urbano
With the photos taken during the photography course, directed by Martini Chiti in May 2023, the boys and girls of 4B Benci created a photographic installation in Piazza Guerrazzi, as a closing of the project and educational activities.
Their mixed portraits that overlook the city observed and re-proposed through their images.
