CREMONA – The sixth edition of ArteAssieme opened this afternoon, Saturday 23 November 2024, the project that combines art, social inclusion and mental health.
The beauties of Palazzo Comunale were described by patients, family members, operators and volunteers in the mental health area who, for the occasion, transformed themselves into tourist guides for a day. The purpose? Telling an unusual story about some of the historical-artistic beauties of the city and promoting a strong anti-stigma action.
Exceptionally also the deputy mayor Francesca Romagnoli and the general director of the Asst of Cremona Ezio to Belle participated in ArteAssieme as guides for a day. They have the task of illustrating respectively the coat of arms of the city of Cremona and the sculptural portal attributed to two of the greatest sculptors of the 16th century, Giovan Pietro da Rho and Amadeo. An important symbolic gesture to affirm that taking care of people is complementary to taking care of places; that facilitating and guaranteeing access to services is the great work to be done together.
The initiative is promoted by the rehabilitation area of territorial psychiatry and by the Communication and external relations structure of the Asst of Cremona in collaboration with Target Turismo, Community Foundation of the Province of Cremona e Come Together e In. diapsi and sponsored by the Municipality of Cremona.
This experience is the result of long and careful preparation work in collaboration with professional tourist guides coordinated by Elena Piccioni; he is followed personally by the psychologist Roberto Pezone (clinical manager of Psychiatric Rehabilitation Facilities), by educators Francesco Casali e Ilaria Guaschi, by psychiatric rehabilitation therapists Greta Damini, Francesco Cirillo and Alice Novara.
«ArteAssieme returns after the wonderful experiences at Palazzo Grasselli, in the Cathedral of Cremona, at Palazzo Guazzoni and in the civic art gallery. A long journey made of intertwining human relationships, of encounters between people with art: an exchange of glances and knowledge fueled over time by the desire to try to feel good within your own condition mental health,” he explains Stefania Mattioli, Head of Communications and External Relations Asst Cremona.
PERSONAL EXPERIENCE DIALOGUES WITH THE WORK
«The heart of the ArteAssieme project are the preparatory meetings, which take place over the course of several months. Every week, the group meets to prepare, on the one hand, the historical and artistic part, in this case the masterpieces of Palazzo Comunale, and on the other to work on personal testimonies, recounting their experience of mental health and the path of recovery experienced”, he explains Pezzone. «When I talk about the Carrozza Crotti and the streets of Cremona in the 1700s, I will also share my personal journey, talking about the ‘holes’ I faced, those of the soul», he says Mariaone of the guides for a day.
THE WORLD IS EVERYONE’S, «I ALSO HESITATE»
This year’s edition presents a significant innovation: an art installation created by mental health users themselves, as the conclusion of a workshop, which will be exhibited in the Sala delle Colonne. «It is a real wooden house, 2.70 meters high, covered with portraits and self-portraits created by users during the workshops. It’s a house full of life and colour,” he says Syria Bertorelliart therapist at the center Ticonzerowho led the artistic workshops. «The installation wants to convey precisely this: beauty and its diversity», he adds. Looking at the finished work, Carlaone of the workshop participants enthusiastically expressed: “It’s a beautiful feeling, a way of saying: I’m here too, I exist too.”
It will be repeated on Saturday 30 November. The visits are free, but you need to book by sending an email to [email protected].
ArteAssieme: Blending Art, Mental Health, and a Good Dose of Cheek
Welcome to the delightful spectacle of ArteAssieme—like a social cocktail party where art, mental health, and social inclusion mingle and probably run off to cry in the corner together. The sixth edition opened this afternoon, and let’s just say the highbrow art crowd and the mental health advocates have found common ground—right underneath the stunning ceilings of Palazzo Comunale.
Now, let’s set the scene. Who would have thought that the heroes today were not the posh art connoisseurs but actual patients, family members, operators, and volunteers? Yes, folks, you heard that right! They transformed into tourist guides for a day. It’s adorable! I can just picture it: an art lover’s nightmare as they try to explain a Renaissance painting while also recounting their favourite mood stabilizers. Talk about multi-tasking!
A Tour with a Twist
Leading the charge were none other than deputy mayor Francesca Romagnoli and the general director of the Asst of Cremona, Ezio to Belle. These two brave souls took on the role of guides, tackling the city coat of arms and the sculptural portal attributed to two of the 16th century’s all-time greats, like they were just guiding tourists on the latest local pubs.
What’s commendable here is that while they guided the tours, they threw in a significant message: caring for people is as important as caring for places. It’s almost like saying that if we nurture our mental health as diligently as we maintain our historical sites, perhaps both will flourish. Who knew that art could also facilitate awareness and understanding about mental health? Imagine Van Gogh discussing his mental health issues while painting those starry skies. Ah, but here we settle for “Cremona’s coat of arms: much like handling your anxiety, harder than it looks!”
Community Collaboration
This initiative isn’t just a flash in the pan; there’s a whole ensemble cast behind it. Coordinated by the brilliant Elena Piccioni, the project also includes psychologists, educators, and therapists who have combined their talents to make this happen. It’s like the Avengers of local mental health—saving the day with art instead of capes! The preparation was extensive—and you can bet it didn’t involve just brushing off a spot on the floor to hang a few paintings.
Stefania Mattioli, head of communications, puts it elegantly when she reflects on this coupling of human relationships with art as a healing, transformative experience. I mean, if staring at a painting can cure you of an existential crisis, sign me up!
Personal Narratives Meet Public Art
But what’s really heartwarming (and a tad eye-watering) is how the participants are not just guides—they’re also sharing personal stories about their mental health journeys. Maria, one of today’s guides, explains how she’ll recount her struggles while leading a tour about the Carrozza Crotti. It’s a metaphorical two-for-one deal: art history and personal healing all wrapped in one inspiring package.
A House of Meaning
And there’s something brilliant brewing in the form of an art installation created entirely by mental health users. Imagine a wooden house covered in colourful self-portraits—it’s not just art; it’s a fiercer declaration than a toddler’s “look, Mom!” as they show off their latest crayon masterpiece. Syria Bertorelli, the art therapist, described it as “a house full of life and colour.” If that doesn’t sound like a metaphor for mental health journeys, I don’t know what does!
When participants express how proud they are and how much it means to say, “I’m here too,” I feel like we’ve got ourselves a movement. A statement as impactful as an artist screaming in an art gallery—“Look, I exist! My pain exists!”
Join the Movement
And guess what? ArteAssieme will repeat its open tours on Saturday, 30 November. So, if you fancy mingling with some of the most resilient humans while basking in the glory of stunning architecture, you can!
The tours are free, but you may need to reserve a spot—don’t just wander in like a lost puppy! Send an email over to [email protected], because let’s be honest, the last thing we want to do is overwhelm our artists—a panic attack at a gallery defeats the entire purpose.
In summary, ArteAssieme isn’t just about art. It’s about connection, understanding, and a pivotal push towards eradicating stigma surrounding mental health while celebrating beauty in all its forms. So grab your ticket, bring a friend (or your therapist), and join this colourful journey of self-acceptance and expression!
What impact does participating in ArteAssieme have on mental health awareness and stigma?
**Interview with Maria, Participant and Guide at ArteAssieme 2024**
**Interviewer:** Maria, thank you for joining us today! Can you start by telling us what participating as a guide in ArteAssieme means to you?
**Maria:** Thank you for having me! Participating in ArteAssieme has been a profound experience for me. It’s not just about showing people around beautiful art; it’s also about sharing my own journey with mental health. It’s a unique opportunity to break down the stigma surrounding mental health issues while educating others about our city’s artistic heritage.
**Interviewer:** That sounds incredibly meaningful. What specific aspects will you be sharing during your tour of the Carrozza Crotti?
**Maria:** During my tour, I plan to recount my struggles and the holes I’ve faced in my own mental health journey, all while discussing the history of the Carrozza Crotti. It’s a way to connect my personal story to a broader narrative, helping others to understand that mental health challenges can be part of anyone’s life—just like learning about art and culture.
**Interviewer:** It’s really commendable that you’re intertwining such personal experiences with art history. How do you think this approach helps both you and the visitors?
**Maria:** Sharing personal stories makes the experience more relatable and humanizes mental health issues. It allows visitors to see that behind every work of art, there are real emotions and stories. It’s an opportunity for connection, and I think it fosters empathy. For me, talking about my experiences is also a crucial part of my healing process.
**Interviewer:** That’s a beautiful perspective. What was the preparation process like leading up to today?
**Maria:** We had several preparatory meetings over the past months. It was a combination of learning about the historical and artistic elements of our tour stops and also having candid discussions about our mental health journeys. We practiced sharing our stories in a way that felt comfortable but also powerful—ultimately creating a safe space for everyone involved.
**Interviewer:** It’s great to hear that such support exists. And how do you feel about the involvement of community leaders in this project, like the deputy mayor and the general director of Asst of Cremona?
**Maria:** Their participation sends a strong message: that mental health matters at all levels of society, including our leaders. It’s a significant step toward normalizing conversations around mental health. When people in power advocate for inclusivity in this way, it helps to reinforce the idea that we can all contribute to a more compassionate community.
**Interviewer:** what do you hope visitors take away from their experience at ArteAssieme?
**Maria:** I hope visitors leave with a deeper understanding that mental health is a shared experience and that everyone has their own story. If we can combine art, personal journeys, and community support, we can create an environment where everyone feels seen and heard. At the end of the day, it’s about connection, compassion, and celebrating our unique journeys—both through mental health and art.
**Interviewer:** Thank you so much for sharing your insights, Maria. Your perspective on blending art and personal narratives in this context is truly inspiring.
**Maria:** Thanks for having me! I’m looking forward to sharing this experience with everyone.
