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Description
The project "ZETgeneration - Smile, Empathy, Therapy" aims to facilitate access to culture and to develop the capacity for self-knowledge and establishing a healthy relationship with oneself and with others of children aged between 10 and 15, generation Z, affected by disorders of depression, with the help of art and art therapy. The project is also addressed to their parents, teachers, members of local communities and the general public. ZETgeneration proposes a set of integrated actions, which will be implemented in Romania (Iași city) and Norway (Oslo), which will contribute to achieving the proposed objectives. Through the project, 4 new contemporary art productions will be realized: one medium footage, a „PsychicFormance” show, two Art Installations - one made in Romania and one in Norway (in a mirror experiment) and one new service will be developed: workshop of art therapy (performing arts and visual arts). All these productions will have the proposed theme: depression disorders among generation Z. The PsychicFormance show will have 10 performances on the stage of the Iași Athenaeum. The (art) installation from Norway will be exhibited in 3 different spaces. The Romanian installation will be exhibited at the National Athenaeum in Iași for 12 months and toured in several public spaces in the country. Access to culture will also be facilitated for at least another 2,550 people - parents, teachers and the general public. DAC Music Performance, the Norwegian partner, will provide musical direction for all 4 new contemporary art productions. He will make an (art) Installation in Norway - Oslo city, mirroring the one in Romania, in collaboration with a plastic artist from Norway. s.
Summary of project results
The project aimed to address the limited opportunities for contemporary artistic creation and interdisciplinary experimentation, particularly in the fields of performing and visual arts. It sought to bridge the gap between artistic innovation and therapeutic practices by integrating art therapy into cultural production. Additionally, the project responded to the need for greater international collaboration and cultural exchange by facilitating joint artistic endeavors between Romania and Norway.
The project implemented a series of activities aimed at fostering contemporary artistic creation and exploring the theme of depression disorders among Generation Z. It resulted in the production of four new contemporary art pieces, including a theatre play that was performed ten times on stage, a PsychicFormance show, a medium footage piece, and two art installations—one created in Romania and the other in Norway as part of a mirror experiment.
In addition to artistic productions, the project introduced an innovative art therapy workshop that combined performing and visual arts, offering a new service designed to support emotional well-being. A total of 30 art therapy sessions were conducted, providing participants with creative tools for self-expression and mental health awareness. The project also included professional development, with five team members receiving specialized training and seven professionals participating in a study visit to Oslo to exchange knowledge and best practices.
The project had a significant impact on Generation Z youth affected by depression and anxiety, providing them with creative and therapeutic support through artistic expression. A total of 327 children participated in art therapy sessions, benefiting from innovative methods that combined performing and visual arts to enhance emotional well-being. Additionally, 304 children took part in vocational counseling sessions, helping them explore future career paths and personal development opportunities.
The artistic productions reached a wide audience, with 5,415 people attending the ten PsychicFormance stage performances and viewing the two art installations. Seven project members participated in a study trip to Norway, while five professionals benefited from specialized training, enhancing their expertise in contemporary artistic and therapeutic practices.
Summary of bilateral results
The bilateral cooperation between the Romanian Atheneum in Iași and DAC Production was initiated through a bilateral grant, leading to the joint development of a larger project under the RO-CULTURA programme. The Norwegian partner played an active role in key aspects of the project, facilitating the study trip to Norway, coordinating the creation and exhibition of art installations, and organizing educational activities in schools across Oslo. Additionally, they contributed to the music arrangements for the artistic productions, enhancing the overall quality and impact of the performances.