Project
A long-term arts laboratory project connecting design, cultural diversity, storytelling, and sustainable development.
Overview
“Embracing the arts as a key to achieving the global goals of the United Nations, inspiring action for a healthy and sustainable future by opening people’s hearts, minds, and imagination.”
The project Arte per 2030 is an artistic laboratory initiative jointly designed and developed by CREGU and DSRlab-DIDA, Department of Architecture, University of Florence. It includes architecture and interiors, illustration and graphic arts, fashion design, land art and artistic installations, and art therapy. It continues to evolve as a long-term project.
From sustainability to storytelling in architecture and design
The aim of the lecture cycle is to help young students develop a critical approach by investigating major themes in the cultural debate around architecture and design through texts and cinematic imagery. The course begins with sustainability in its four systemic dimensions, then moves to the role of cultural diversity in a sustainable approach, and finally to storytelling as a project development strategy through practical examples in architecture, interiors, and design.
The role of UNESCO and cultural heritage is also explored as a source of identity and inspiration for contemporary design. At the end of the third lesson, students receive a micro-exercise on narrative design; in the fourth and final lesson they present their work and receive comments from the lecturer. Each student receives a participation certificate at the end of the course.
Cycles 1-2
May 3, 2024, 10:00-12:00 Italian time
The first lesson examines the macro-theme of sustainability in its four systemic dimensions: environmental, social, economic, and institutional sustainability. It explains the role of architects and designers in sustainable development and presents case studies of projects working across different areas of sustainability.
May 4, 2024, 7:30-9:30 Italian time
This lesson explains the importance of cultural diversity and its role in building a sustainable future. Protecting identity and diversity in opposition to cultural homogenization guides a new approach to design, especially for younger generations. The lesson closes with architecture and design examples that actively work on cultural diversity.
May 5, 2024, 9:00-11:00 Italian time
The third lesson shows the role of storytelling as a tool for developing cultural diversity across all cultural fields. It explains how every city can be read as a book and how a new sustainable future can emerge from the diversity of each place. Students are asked to develop a micro-tutorial narrating their own diversity through narrative design tools.
May 19, 2024, 9:00-11:00 Italian time
At the beginning of the fourth lesson, students are invited to present their exercises. The lecturer comments on each proposal, identifying strengths and weaknesses. The second part of the lesson offers a final reflection on the course and tools for further independent study.
Second cycle schedule: May 9, May 10, May 11, and May 25.
Cycle 3
The laboratory asks young artists to illustrate a vision of an eco-sustainable world while placing the distinctive elements of the brand at the center. From the images that form its visual identity, such as the logo, to its products, these elements become integral parts of the illustrated sustainable visions.
Artists are encouraged to create circular sustainability connections, resource and recycling linkages, and relationships among knowledge, skills, and values through their illustrations.
Programme:
May 17, 12:30-14:30: General principles of sustainability - Sustainable development
May 18, 7:30-9:30: Basic technical concepts for graphic editing and illustration + exercise
May 19, 9:00-11:00: Illustration and painting of innovative cases
June 1, 10:00-12:00: Conclusion + reviews
Cycle 4
The goal of these two meetings is to reflect on music culture between homogenization and cultural diversity. Through words and music, the course maps the European music scene and explores the geography of authorship and identity. Participants receive a certificate at the end of the course.
Lesson 1: May 13, 2024, 10:00-11:00 Italian time
The inclusive multi/intercultural experience in music
This lesson explains the importance of cultural diversity and its role in building a sustainable future.
Lesson 2: May 14, 2024, 10:00-11:00 Italian time
The lecture illustrates the geography of the music industry in Europe through commentary and listening. Even if a full description is difficult in one hour, it outlines the principal cultural movements shaping the European musical landscape.
Cycles 5-6
The lecture cycle develops a critical approach in young students by examining current European debates in design through images, texts, and audiovisual materials. It begins with an overview of Italian design and its distinct approach compared with other international design schools, then explores artificial intelligence, diversity, interaction, narrative design, and sustainability.
Lesson 1: July 1, 2024, 12:30-14:30 - The creative approach of Italian industrial design
Lesson 2: July 2, 2024, 12:30-14:30 - Diversity and cultural diversity: why artificial intelligence will favor a return to diversity in design
Lesson 3: July 3, 2024, 12:30-14:30 - From interaction design to narrative design + explanation of exercises
Lesson 4: July 21, 2024, 12:30-14:30 - Presentation of student work + sustainable development
Sixth cycle dates: July 5, July 6, July 7, and July 30.
Cycles 7-8
The purpose of this course is to investigate the relationship between sustainable development, fashion, and textile design. After introducing sustainability goals and practices in its four dimensions, the course examines the relationship between territorial identities and sustainable futures, followed by textile design perspectives and the viewpoint of Italian fashion designers.
Lesson 1: November 23, 2024, 14:00-16:00 Italian time - Sustainability as a responsible approach
Lesson 2: November 24, 2024, 14:00-16:00 Italian time
Starting from the concept of identity, this lesson investigates globalization, cultural diversity, and the ways diversity can still be developed in contemporary culture. Students are introduced to the exercise titled “Identity Patterns.”
Lesson 3: November 25, 2024, 14:00-16:00 Italian time
Textile design sits between design and fashion and opens important application fields in both product and interior dimensions. The lesson investigates the latest developments in European design scenarios.
Lesson 4: November 26, 2024, 14:00-16:00 Italian time
This lesson explores the cultural and aesthetic characteristics that made Italian fashion design successful. Students also present their exercises and receive comments highlighting strengths, weaknesses, and future directions.
Eighth cycle times: November 30, December 1, December 2, and December 17 at 13:00.
Cycle 9
Lesson 1: May 21, 2025, 13:00-15:00 Italian time
The first lesson discusses sustainability in its four systemic dimensions and highlights, through case study analysis, the role of the designer in building a sustainable future.
Lesson 2: May 22, 2025, 13:00-15:00 Italian time
This lesson illustrates the importance of cultural diversity and its role in building a sustainable future. It concludes with architecture and design projects that actively engage with cultural diversity.
Lesson 3: May 23, 2025, 13:00-15:00 Italian time
The third lesson explains storytelling as a tool for the development of cultural diversity in every cultural field. Students are invited to develop a micro-exercise narrating their own diversity through narrative design tools.
Lesson 4: June 6, 2025, 13:00-15:00 Italian time - Trends in Italian design + reviews.
The ninth cycle and following cycles remain in continuous development.
