Janine Vorfeld

arca nova

a living monument

to ritualize togetherness 

arca nova represents a project that builds on an invented modern myth and becomes tactile through a social sculpture. The project is placed in Casanova, a young quarter of Bozen, that lacks a feeling of belonging and identity. Thus, the story of a flooded Casanova, that animates the citizens to build a boat together shall support the idea of acting together in diversity to move forward in any adversity. ‘arca nova’ shall link people, foster identification with places and raise awareness on environmental changes. 

in collaboration with

Adele Buffa & Matija Grgič &

Officine Vista Social Cooperative

my role: storytelling

& graphic design 

2020

Bozen 

The arca nova is not only a mythical boat, furthermore it is a social sculpture which transports the spirit of crews. It must be used together and shall have an impact on future traditions. It shall link people, connect them to places and raise awareness of environmental changes.

The myth was presented in a zine in German and Italian language.
Since the shape of the monument represents a huge paper boat, the paper boat became the symbol of the story.

The project was presented to the public in December 2019 in the common exhibition ‘supernova / a space, some people and lots of ideas’, where we presented a prototype, the myth in the zine and two posters, that explain the details of the project.

For further information and

the myth itself, click here.

© 2024 Janine Vorfeld

Personal story books tell diverse short stories by and about the author. They provide multiple perspectives and insights on one person, they show complexity and individuality. 

A cup warms your hands, when you hold it. It offers a feeling of security and calmness - a moment only for yourself. On the other side cups are conversation facilitators. Be in two, have a cup of something and the talks will come by itself. 

Cups are round and edged, smooth and textured, same and individual. They are out of clay, out of glass, out of wood, out of metal, out of plastic, out of porcelain. Cups are not only used for hot drinks, but for soup, for cereals, for stews, for plants, for candles - for stories. Cups are representing tradition and culture. They are art in itself. They tell about the maker and they tell about the chooser. 

A cup has many different stories to tell.
Just like each of us.

The Story Cup might surprise you in the next local cafe ... or you find them in your kitchen closet after a story cup exchange activity … or they might simply become an extra income for the producers and the project.

Follow the links
and get more info.

Story Cups tell a story about and by the maker. They might consist of a unique drawing, a single word or a whole written story. They are personal. They give us a glimpse about the moment and the conversations the respective person was in and meanwhile sparkle interest to get to know more about them. 

To support vivid, mellow and fun conversations and to frame the generally uncomfortable situation of meeting a stranger as easy and comfortable as possible, the dialogs are guided by conversation cards. 

Each conversation card shows up a new question to inspire a personal story and a topic to talk about. In total 27 well-chosen, inclusive and sensitive questions are divided into five different topics from which the participants can choose.