Discovering the Altera Forma Urbis of Rome through a site-specific project and performance at Garbatella district, Rome. 12-9-22
(2022)
author(s): Andrea Moneta
published in: Research Catalogue
The research enquiry involved experimental research and case study using location-based digital technologies (Geo-Blog) and perception mapping as a further methodological development of Scenarchitecture, a trans-disciplinary methodology developed by Moneta (2012) for reading and interpreting the Genius Loci. It was based on recent work of Italian archaeologist Giuseppe Lugli and his son Pier Maria Lugli (2006) about the ‘Altera Forma Urbis’ of Rome, which investigates the hidden, ‘secret’ structural urban form of Rome in the shape of a ‘Star’. The research was aimed at uncovering old and recent past history of Garbatella district and XI Municipality, as the place in which exists a concentration of urban modifications of Rome, through its connections with Lugli’s studies. Using a hermeneutic phenomenology approach with a focus on making meaning of experiences as they are lived, the research revealed both physical and intangible connections between the Altera Forma Urbis of Rome and its contemporary urban structure within the area of study. Findings evidenced that extending the shape of the ‘Star’ from the original 1st mile radius of the Ancient Rome to 5-mile radius of contemporary city limits, there is a correspondence between the area of study’s main monuments and landmarks with the Star’s generating axes. Evidence of the originality of the findings were an exhibition (Segni Percorsi) commissioned and funded by ‘Urban Centre - Municipio Roma XI’, and a sited performance (Tramandala) commissioned and funded by Festival Teatri di Vetro 3, a renowned Festival of performing arts, and Fondazione Romaeuropa, one of the most prestigious cultural institutions in Europe. Feedback collected during the exhibition and after the performance evidenced the engagement of the audience with the themes and methods of the research. The dissemination of the work included the authored book Scenarchitettura (2012), article on journal Hortus (2009) and research report on Zenodo (2022).
Discovering the Altera Forma Urbis of Rome through a site-specific project and performance at Garbatella district, Rome
(2022)
author(s): Andrea Moneta
published in: Research Catalogue
The aim of the research enquiry was to uncover old and recent past history of Rome through a urban scenography design project that produced an exhibition (output 1: Segni Percorsi) and a sited performance (output 2: Tramandala), in the Garbatella district of Rome. Specifically, the research-led project was initially inspired by the ‘invisible’ structural urban form of Rome, the ‘Altera Forma Urbis’ in the shape of a ‘Star’. The aim was to explore connections with its contemporary structure focusing on the Garbatella district, area of study of the research. The final output (exhibition and a performance) was based on the findings of both historical and experiential analysis of the territory of the Garbatella district. The process in fact, revealed stories and characters that became the content of the storytelling of a site-specific performance for Teatri di Vetro 3, a site-specific theatre festival based in the courtyards of Garbatella’s building lots. Methods used to explore these enquiries involved recent studies by Italian archaeologist Giuseppe Lugli and his son Pier Maria Lugli (2006) on the ‘Altera Forma Urbis’ of Rome; the use of location-based digital technologies (Geo-Blog) for mapping, and Scenarchitecture, a trans-disciplinary methodology developed by Moneta (2012) for reading and interpreting the Genius Loci. The project involved 12 students of Module of Scenography of MA Architecture course at University of Rome La Sapienza, that exhibited their works at Urban Centre of Municipality XI of Rome, and then devised and performed during Festival Teatri di Vetro 3. Output 1 was funded in kind by Roma Europa-Palladium Foundation and output 2 by the Municipality XI of Rome. Feedback collected during the exhibition and after the performance evidenced the engagement of the audience with the ancient and recent past of Garbatella. The dissemination of the work includes two published articles.
Ghosts! Heritage design project and performance at Nottingham Castle Grounds
(2022)
author(s): Andrea Moneta
published in: Research Catalogue
The aim of this research enquiry is to foster a collaboration with Nottingham Castle realising public activities to improve visitors’ engagement. Methods used to explore these enquiries involved Scenarchitecture, a trans-disciplinary methodology developed by Moneta, that uses the process of reading, understanding, and interpreting the Genius Loci as an in-depth exploration and expression of Spatial Practice and community engagement. Recent studies on phenomenology of Place (Relph, 1976; Alexander, 1977; Norberg-Schulz, 1980), and the role of Genius Loci in Placemaking (Brooks, 2001; Golan, 2012), are confirming the importance of considering a multidisciplinary approach to enhance heritage sites using perception and emotions. Heritage sites with their peculiar identity and character, provoke intense spatial experience in those who engage with them, having the quality of Place, i.e., the power to focus human experiences, and actions spatially. The enquiry was about researching and then revealing historical characters that had a role in the NC’s history, and to help audiences engage with them on a perceptual level through storytelling, site-specific performance and CosProps as the medium. The project involved six students of BA (Hons) Theatre Design at Nottingham Trent University as part of the Realised Design curriculum, that selected and designed a CosProp for each character. They devised the performances in collaboration with six students of The Television Workshop in Nottingham. The work was funded in kind by NC (supporting staff and use of spaces and facilities) and by NTU (£1000.00). The final outcome is a promenade performance across different stories and characters located in specific places of the NC Grounds; the audience followed the promenade in small groups to adhere to Covid19 regulations. A questionnaire after the performances evidenced that ‘the performance enhanced the experience of the Nottingham Castle grounds’ (73.3%). The dissemination of the work includes pages on NTU and NC website and a video published on YouTube.
Scenarchitecture: exhibitions, live events and sited performances in Italy and UK, 2006-2021
(2022)
author(s): Andrea Moneta
published in: Research Catalogue
The Exposition illustrates the body of work of 15 years of research-led teaching and professional practice that produced 17 performances, 2 installations and 4 exhibitions in Italy and UK, during the period 2006-2021. They are documented with photos, video documentaries, social media, info about the research and design process to demonstrate impact, significance, and originality. All the output presented in this portfolio involved projects in partnership with universities, research centres, theatres, and cultural institutions.
Performances had been developed through Scenarchitecture, a trans-disciplinary methodology developed by Moneta’s research, that blends Scenography with architecture and urban design. Scenarchitecture involves the process of reading, understanding, and interpreting the inner character and performative attributes of architecture and sites, as an in-depth exploration and expression of Spatial Practice and community engagement, essential aspects for any design intervention in a specific place. Scenarchitecture, in fact, can also help designers, stakeholders, and citizens to engage with the character of the place as a propaedeutic step for the co-creation of architectural and urban design that are respectful of places.
Performances and related exhibitions, in the roles of designer, exhibitor and director, had been an important step for the author to disseminate Scenarchitecture methodology, and to assess it in different areas: in Research-led teaching at Nottingham Trent University (UK) and University of Rome La Sapienza (Italy); in Professional practice for theatre design and architectural design, as co-founder of cultural association Archabout; in Professional practice for live events in marketing and communication, as co-founder of ethical and un-conventional communication firm Smart Jokes.
Macbeth Projeto
(2020)
author(s): Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez, Aleksandar Dundjerovic
published in: Research Catalogue
Macbeth Projeto is a performing arts project that used elements of Shakespeare’s Macbeth as a framework for exploring different types of performativity. The central research question was ‘how migration of dramatic text , migratory geography deconstruction of stasis and transformation of form create different aesthetic qualities and performative experiences’? The project resulted in a series of novel rehearsal methodologies for adapting a dramatic text into a multisensorial performance via open rehearsal, creative workshops, and mixed visual and performing creative techniques. The project grew out of the researcher’s previous work with Brazilian theatre – including two co-authored books; Brazilian Collaborative Theatre ( 2017) and Brazilian Performing Arts (2019).Shakespeare’s original text was used as a framework for devising novel methodologies that combined different performance digital media methods with Brazilian collaborative contemporary theatre techniques. Rehearsals began with free collaborative improvisation workshops, out of which emerged material that was selected for further development. From this process the focus fell on the Act 3 scene 4, ‘feast’ scene. From this starting point, ‘The Party’, the relationship with Lady Macbeth, witches and ghosts became the key resources around which new narratives were developed. The research resulted in six performance cycles, each of which explored a different theatre form: Physical and group theatre; Site-specific, Solo-performance, Installation art, Augmented Reality, and Video/Performance Art (created as a remote on-line devised performance). Collaborators and co-producers with CIPA on the research project were Centrala, Digbrew (Birmingham), International Federation of Theatre Research (IFTR), VUK Theatre (Belgrade), Prague Quadrennial, AHRC, Shanghai Theatre Academy, and Teatro Os Satyros (Sao Paulo). It has been performed at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire (UK), IFTR, Prague Quadrennial of Performance Design 2019 and as part of an AHRC UK-China Creative Industries Partnership Development Programme with Shanghai Theatre Academy, Shanghai.