Arts Lab 7.0: Annalisa Schettino | Month V

I must admit that the work I produced during this residency is not the one I feel most proud of. I was not feeling well physically and, as a result, I could not give my best. I wish I had been more helpful, especially to my partner. Despite this, the residency was marked by several heartwarming moments: when the students hung their wishes on a tree, when they collectively created personal collages, or when I had the chance to chat in Italian with one student who strongly wished to speak with an Italian native speaker.

On a personal level, that week represented one of the lowest points of my experience in Romania, especially in terms of motivation. Although it has been slowly returning, the holidays did not recharge my energy as I had expected.

During the weekend, we presented a replica of our JEMOM performance at the House of Culture. I was worried that I would not be in the right mental and physical condition and that this might affect the performance and the group. However, acting turned out to be a very healing experience, allowing me to reconnect with myself and release negative emotions. I was also particularly eager to perform in the House of Culture, as the space is much more professional than the Open Art Hub. It is fascinating to see how our collective creation continues to evolve and shift every time we rehearse it, especially after returning to it following a break. I am very curious to see how our next performance in Pașcani will turn out next month.

That same weekend, we also held the Italian intercultural night. Considering how much pressure I was feeling during that week, I believe I did my best and that the event turned out quite well. I felt especially proud of myself for successfully preparing a traditional Neapolitan dessert. As I am not particularly skilled in cooking, this was a small but meaningful personal achievement. Through cooking, I also felt more connected to my distant relatives. I enjoyed introducing Commedia dell’Arte in a simple and playful way, and the evening ended with music, laughter, and a pleasant atmosphere of sharing.

The following week, we finally concluded the Roma residency at Garabet Ibrăileanu School. I could not have asked for a better partner—Beyza was incredibly supportive and caring throughout the process. This collaboration remains one of the sweetest memories of the residency. On Thursday, we visited the village of Zmeu, where I was finally able to conduct on-site research for my personal artwork. As an artist who works closely with real life, this opportunity was both relieving and inspiring. I was concerned that relying solely on online research would result in a superficial or unoriginal approach to a topic that is often misunderstood and poorly represented in Western media. My main intention was to approach it in a respectful and clear-sighted way. Meeting Roma people who live their art and traditions in a strong communal context became the main source of inspiration for my painting.

In the days leading up to the exhibition, I fully committed myself to creating the best artwork I could. I produced an oil painting, a medium I deeply missed and had not used since leaving Italy. Although I spent several nights working late, returning to painting replenished me with new energy and motivation—it made me feel like myself again. I naturally shifted to a nighttime routine, as the quiet atmosphere of the house during those hours was ideal for concentration. Additionally, some of us became unexpectedly invested in a very silly board game, Jungle Speed, which kept us engaged late into the night. This period was particularly exhausting, also due to the long meetings required to plan the next residency, which focused on emotions intertwined with Cucuteni culture.

On Friday, we held the exhibition at Ion Creangă School. Although the audience was mostly composed of children, the event was a success, especially for the Roma students, who could see their culture represented within a full exhibition. They greatly enjoyed the interactive elements, which were both a strength and a limitation, as they sometimes distracted them from the narrative focus of the exhibition, dedicated mainly to Roma artists and our personal works. The timing of the event, taking place during school hours, also limited adult attendance.

Nevertheless, I appreciated the overall atmosphere of the event. Seeing children so actively exposed to art was deeply rewarding, particularly in a context where access to artistic experiences is limited.

We also enjoyed the Portuguese intercultural night, which gave us the chance to get to know Cristina, a volunteer from Iași working with the ProRoma association. I always enjoy discovering new cuisines and learning about cultures I am still largely unfamiliar with.

On the free day before the Cucuteni residency, I spent time alone at the cinema in Iulius Mall and enjoyed a relaxing walk around the city. Visiting the cinema at least once a month is essential for recharging my mental energy, as it is one of my primary sources of inspiration.

The Cucuteni residency went very well. I was initially worried about addressing the topic of emotions with middle school students, but they proved to be receptive and deeply engaged. Although shy at first, it became easier than expected to connect with them. Their enthusiasm during the games and activities filled me with joy, especially since I had doubts about my ability to engage them at the beginning. They also showed strong interest in painting and visual arts. It was touching to see their eyes light up while commenting on artworks, and particularly meaningful for Roma students to experience an exhibition entirely dedicated to their culture. They approached the tasks with seriousness and sensitivity, surprising us with thoughtful paintings and collages.

We also incorporated introspective moments into the activities, encouraging students to connect more openly with their inner selves. Some discussions emerged about emotional awareness and emotional management, and several students chose to share their thoughts freely, with the aim of better understanding themselves.

The month concluded with the Turkish intercultural night, where we enjoyed delicious food, music, and dances. We also had a deep and meaningful conversation with two volunteers from Iași who stayed with us late into the night. I am always drawn to conversations that allow me to explore different perspectives and broaden my understanding.

The upcoming month is expected to be much more eventful, mainly due to a major trip that has been planned. I am very excited about it and believe that, as a group, we truly need this shared adventure to strengthen our bond and create new memories together.

This monthly report was written by Annalisa Schettino, our Italian volunteer taking part in a seven-month Arts Lab 7.0 mobility, co-funded by the European Union under the European Solidarity Corps.