Cities as a Stage: The Development of the Performing Arts in Places / Non-Places of Rome

Cities as a stage. The development of the performing arts in places / non-places of Rome. Cities are evolving rapidly by means of the impact of the digital technologies applied to urban spaces (smart cities), the growing participation of communities in the redevelopment of the urban system (resilient city), and the development of the performing arts in public space (site specific performance). The paper wants to outline the experiences of artistic use of urban space in the city of Rome from the late nineties up to today, as well as to show the shift of the paradigm that happened in the event design characterized by two specific performative practices. On one hand, we are witnessing the birth of unconventional spaces in peripheral areas of the city (Rampa Prenestina, Intifada, Angelo Mai, Rialto-Sant'Ambrogio, Strike and so on). Abandoned buildings, premises and disused car parks are transformed into performative venues hosting artistic movements that have developed innovative practices of live entertainment (Massimiliano Civica, Roberto Latini, Fabrizio Arcuri etc.). On the other hand, the design of the human landscape where performative actions that actively involve the audience throughout exploration and collective rediscovery (participatory explorations) are defining the urban experience of the city. These are cultural movements or single artists (Carlo Infante, Luca Ruzza and so on) that draw on the digital technologies to propose a playful and artistic experience of participation and urban innovation (Performing Media). The objective of this paper is therefore to historicize the artistic practices above mentioned to understand the impact of places / non-places in the redefinition of the participated cities of the future.