Deep map and Short Residence: Artistic-Academic Research in Peripheral Places

The contribution presents methodological thoughts and first results of our research carried out in the communities of Jovençan, in the Alpine Municipality in Valle d’Aosta, and Oppido Lucano, a village of Basilicata, both in Italy. The researchers propose the method of the deep map as an artistic-academic approach which initiates a dialogue among the local population about their relationship with the place where they live and, in the process, about their future social, cultural and economic development. The methodology seems especially promising when implemented in rural and “peripheral” areas, or in general in areas that face challenges in making their voices heard at upper levels of the government. Deep map is a research method and working practice developed mainly by cultural and social anthropologists, scientist of design and theater as well as by artists which promises to blur the boundaries between science and art as well between experts and the local population, and which intends to avoid hierarchical structures inside the research team. In our contribution we present the results of our deep mapping projects in Jovençan (2019) and Oppido Lucano (2022). In both cases our research team, composed of scientists and artists, took residence in the village for a week. The meticulous preparation of taking residence and the shortness of the stay triggered spontaneity and situative engagements between people and the landscape. During the stay a process of place-specific reflection emerged among the population and the members of the research team which can provide the village communities with a space for dialogue for the formulation of their communal future.