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By Mario D’Andreta In Roman mythology a genius loci was the protective spirit of a place. It was often depicted as a snake. In contemporary usage, "genius loci" usually refers to a location's distinctive atmosphere, or a "spirit of place", rather than necessarily a guardian spirit (Wikipedia)
The project Genius Loci was conceived in 2006 and its aim is to explore the interaction between man and environment within the frameworks of contemporary patterns of living. This work can be placed within the perspective of human ecology, with artistic, as well as social and political intent of drawing attention to the effects of this interaction, in terms of quality of life and environmental sustainability. The purpose of the project was to examine and to suggest a new perspective on patterns of everyday life, trying to produce an effect of estrangement as regards forms of addiction to lifestyles that gradually imply the loss of contact with reality and oneself. In particular, the subject matter of this work is the search and the preservation of genius loci. Along the seven steps that compose it, a path of exploration opens in that direction, having as a background man and environment of a metropolis. Therefore, it becomes an opportunity for contemplation of patterns of using technology within the relationship between the individual and the context, with particular regard to the risks to the well-being of individual, as well as of social development. For this purpose, we make use of audio and video field recordings, properly manipulated in order to explore, through an effect of estrangement, symbolic dimensions of everyday-life experience, beyond the “apparently evident”. Genius Loci offers an experience of perception somewhat whispered, in an oneiric and evocative atmosphere. An attempt of aesthetic (but not at all arty) solicitation of sensibility dulled under a burden of the cultural dominion of technology. A trip in search for a lost sense Journey in seven steps 1. Searching for the genius: the silence of the veiled statues and animated fountains 2. technology and perception of reality: cameras in the crowded square of the ancient metropolis 3. Urban siege: a walk through the city 4. Fall of myths: crumbling of matter 5. Mirror of consciousness: reflections on the water 6. Research of new forms: geometrical pulsations 7. Silent look: views on city traffic
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