This is For You

The nature of participatory art projects goes beyond artistic creation and is also based on human relationships. As intimacy and trust develops with the people we meet, what becomes apparent are the needs and wants that permeate their lives. The need for a job, a pair of glasses, a visit to the doctor... but they also reveal their loneliness and worries. When faced with these difficulties, we reflected on how to offer a response. "THIS IS FOR YOU" is what we call the moments, objects, aids, gifts that meet the essential needs of the participants. Sometimes these gifts take an artistic form, as was the case with Yusuf Mia, from Bangladesh, who was keen to dance and demonstrate his knowledge of Bollywood. Sara Paternesi, an Italian dancer in the cast of BOWING BACK, worked individually with Yusuf over several weeks and the two of them performed a Bollywood duet, based on the moves he knew and taught her. Nusaiba Taima Nur expressed her will to write and create a solo about the stories of her country. Lilia Sudebi and Usha Pathak, who came along with a group of nepali friends, wanted to introduce in the piece a traditional Nepalese dance which they taught to the whole cast. Daniel Wang, a chinese boy, danced with a fitted red fan, while the story of the Goddess who created the Chinese Nation was being played and heard on various mobile phones. These desires were like precious gifts in the journey of the creative process. On the other hand, this help is a part of a different dimension of our work, turning sometimes into direct assistance: finding jobs for Shoaib, Prashant and Lovepreet; offering a second-hand computer to Nusaiba so she can study and write; accompanying participants to the doctor; or simply listening to outbursts and conversations. BOWING is a project that spills over into life, unfolding into many small projects for individuals, of effective support and guidance.