Let’s look and waves: when culture is born out of the neighborhood
Article published in the Poblenou Magazine
/Photograph: Àngel Garcia and Albert Masias
Montse is a neighbor of Poblenou for a lifetime. In fact, it is the fifth generation of his family living in the neighborhood. And now, for more than a month, his portrait has been exhibited on the Carulla Foundation’s facade, along with those of other neighbors. In total, about a hundred villagers have been photographed and twelve of these portraits can still be seen in the foundation building. But what’s behind this exhibition? Why have the images of dozens of neighbors photographed and exposed? The portraits of the facade are part of the work ofAlbert Masiasone of the winners of the Scholarships in the neighborhood of the Carulla Foundation. Both he and the stage laboratory Laboriousthe other Becat project, have been the main propellants of a community cultural initiative that, for half a year, has worked to highlight the diversity and richness of Poblenou; A collective impulse with the aim of putting the person at the center of cultural creation.
With Let’s look at usMasias sought to reflect on the power of mutual recognition among the inhabitants of the neighborhood. Exposing portraits of anonymous neighbors is, on the one hand, a way of empowering them; It makes its value evident as a member of a community. On the other hand, however, it opens a dialogue with the viewer. The work invites us to be part of a network of eyes where we can recognize ourselves as part of a whole. Masias claims thus The importance of community experience, especially in a city like ours, in which we know each other is becoming more difficult.
Anna López and Triana DOCEfrom Laboriosa, presented the theatrical piece Waves. This project was built through the testimonies of the neighbors of Poblenou. With his memoirs the script of a performative work was woven Site Specific which premiered on the Carulla Foundation’s terrace on October 20. Attendees sailed through the collective emotions of the neighborhood; An experience caused and starred by the villagers. The reception of the work has been greatly positive and has helped to reinforce the community sentiment of the neighborhood: “With almost eighty-four years I have shared a new experience,” says one of the neighbors involved in the project.
El Poblenou is a neighborhood with a long history. With roots in the labor movement, he has always been associated with a rich neighborhood life. However, and especially since the 1992 Olympic Games, Poblenou has undergone a great process of social and urban transformation, with changes that do not always favor its inhabitants. Neighborhood associations have never stopped organizing to deal with this situation. But the struggle must also be done from social and cultural organizations.
The Carulla Foundation installed its headquarters in Poblenou at the end of last year. From the beginning, it was avoided to be another organization in 22@: The intention was to become a node in the cultural network of the neighborhood’s neighbors. “This space (…) must be from the people and for the people; Because we do not understand culture if it is not with and from the people in the neighborhood ”says Marta Esteve, CEO of the Foundation. It is in the search for this social involvement that the neighborhood people are born, grants with the aim of promoting projects that directly involve the neighborhood community in their development and exhibition. Let’s look and waves embody the fundamental pillars of the Carulla Foundation: That culture has a high potential to transform society, but that this transformation is more effective when the person is at the center of the action.
