| Description |
The former Asilo Filangieri was built within the extension works of the old convent of San Gregorio Armeno. In modern times, it hosted an asylum for the education of young Neapolitan orphans, that kept this function until 1980 southern Italy earthquake when the building was abandoned. In 2005 a long-lasting restoration was completed, which also permitted to bring back to light important archaeological finds of the viceroy period and more older ones from Greek-Roman age. The building hosted for a short time the foundation “Forum of Cultures2014”. Indeed, in 2012, the place was occupied by a group of art and entertainment workers that has started a co-management experience of the building open to all. The municipality recognized this “civic and collective urban use”, that was taken as a model to be reproduced in other contexts, both in Naples and in other cities. |
| Description of the economic, social and environmental impacts of the project |
The Asilo is nowadays an interdependent art and education centre. Open to all, it is not bound to a single artistic direction. Its activities are not engaged in for profit and are financed by voluntary contributions exploited to improve the work conditions, means of production and the maintenance of the place. More than 250 projects have been started here, through the massive reduction of production expenses enabled by the free using of shared spaces, means, knowledge and skills. Furthermore, many young people could be involved into free workshops and education projects. More than 2000 theatre companies, musicians and intellectuals have been to this place forming interesting collaborations and contaminations. There isn’t a single group that is in charge of directing the place and its activities, but they are decided in weekly meetings among all users of the spaces. The new form of shared management contributed also to many other experiments of direct involvement of local communities. |
