Public Space · Artistic Research · Co-creation
Year: 2022-2023 | Role: Artistic Researcher | Institution: Fontys Fine and Performing Arts, MA Performing Public Space
The city is more than a physical environment; it’s a living cultural and social fabric, constantly reconstructed by its inhabitants. Instead of a fixed city image, I explored temporary, personal maps shaped by newcomers’ perspectives. This project invited international students in Tilburg to reimagine the city center (Dwaalgebied, Winkelgebied, Veemarktkwartier areas designated by the city marketing department) through participatory mapping and everyday encounters.
How can a city’s identity be psychogeographically mapped from a foreign gaze?
How can international students deconstruct Tilburg’s map through participatory methodologies?
How can dérive (drifting) and experimental video mapping reveal the city’s multiplicity?
Participants engaged in dérive walks, capturing sensory and emotional responses in three city areas. 12 participants attended the experiment in two months. Walks took place on the weekend.
I collected the verbal sharing of the participants through video series. After all, I produced 12 videos in experimental video mapping.
the Layers of personal stories and cultural perspectives challenged the “official” city map in streets of Tilburg and in digital platforms.
Explorations were translated into a 15 mins film, creating alternative, performative tour of Tilburg.
This project reinforced my belief that participatory art can act as a living service; offering tools, spaces, and experiences that help people connect, see, and imagine together. It also sharpened my understanding of how public space mediates human relationships and how artistic research can reveal the multiplicity of urban identity.
