Our Place
The Government's disrespect takes place when the population is restricted by precarious transportation, subject to everyday violence and a hostage to fear. Consequently, that pushes the people to become increasingly isolated in their homes, to the point that they don't enjoy their own space and have difficulties meeting other people. Inspired by the Ubuntu way of live, "I am because we are", which deals with the relationship between consensus and ethical compromise with the community, the "Our place" project aims to increase the interaction between residents and their streets, their neighbours and the regional history, so that social empowerment is fostered to mobilize people and bring synergy to the area.
This way, this non-profit project will keep for a month a mobile structure installed on the street, where there will be basic materials for the development of workshops conducted by the residents themselves. The workshops are free, which means any kind of knowledge can be relayed. Besides serving as a space for activities and an environment for relaxation, in the central part of the structure there will be a keyboard and a touchscreen to access a digital platform with trivia and historical and cultural information about the selected neighbourhood. With the help from the residents, the platform can be updated constantly, adding information, memories that are not there. The intention of keeping the project on site for a one-month period is meant for the residents of the area to occupy the streets little by little and to later feel confident enough to enjoy a space that belongs to them and keep the space moving in a positive way.
Weyni Rodrigues is a sewing and costumes student at Spectaculu and works as a designer trained by Oi Kabum! Rio. A Niterói resident curious about nature, she uses her creativity to promote social-based actions. She is currently an undergraduate Industrial Design student at Universidade Federal Fluminense.
