WHAT IS LIFE
Project Description
The project, “LIFE IS LIFE: Community Mobile in Pane Quotidiano,” has been nominated for the 2023 NABA AWARD in the social design category. It was conceived and developed by a dedicated team of professors, including Elisabetta Bianchessi, Serena Crocco, and Irene Guida. This project seamlessly integrates the “Waiting for Godot” concept with social design principles to illuminate unique societal dynamics.
Concept of the Project
Our project commenced with a quest to unveil the barriers and boundaries that often define our world. A remarkable phenomenon unfolded before our eyes during a routine bus ride on the 90 route. Each morning, near the renowned Bocconi University in Milan and the adjacent COVID-19 distribution center, Pane Quotidiano, we witnessed a diverse gathering of individuals from various races, genders, and ages. These individuals came together to collect essential goods, forming queues that, in essence, constituted a dynamic and transient community.
What made this sight particularly striking was its stark contrast with the imposing silver walls of the adjacent, opulent university. Amidst this stark juxtaposition, our team identified a metaphorical “Island of Sharing.” This unique space served as a bridge connecting two distinct realms, where people in line exchanged not just goods but also moments of shared humanity. It evoked the essence of “Waiting for Godot,” where nothing tangible appears to happen, yet there’s an undeniable sense of shared purpose and camaraderie.
Our project seeks to merge these observations into a powerful social design statement. Through an immersive theatrical performance and a thought-provoking film presentation, we aim to illuminate the nuanced issue of social mobility in the post-epidemic era. By delving into the heart of the “Island of Sharing,” we hope to prompt critical discussions on privilege versus necessity, isolation versus community, and, ultimately, the essence of life and its shared experiences.
We invite our audience to embark on this artistic and introspective journey with us, exploring the core concept of “LIFE IS LIFE” through the lens of a mobile community that emerges unexpectedly in the most unlikely places.
In summary, this project harnesses the existential notion of “Waiting for Godot” to illuminate the societal dynamics of our time, embodying the essence of social design by celebrating the Island of Sharing as a symbol of unity and resilience in the face of adversity.