PLAYING FOR SOCIAL

CONNECTEDNESS:ARCHITECTUREAGAINST DEATH

The Relationship Process

Seen from individual human perspective, connectedness can be regarded as a human right. Exclusion from the city was almost the most serious punishment a Roman citizen could be sentenced to, second only to execution. The Latin

expression to be alive is inter hominem esse, which literally means ‘to be among people’, while being dead was called inter hominem esse desinere, or ‘stopping from being among humans’, ceasing to be among people. Humans are social

creatures; our capacity and desire for social relationships were internalised into our DNA as we evolved.

When people are disconnected, they run the risk of becoming socially isolated and their impact as individuals in other people’s lives is diminished. This has been addressed as social death. German sociologist Zygmunt Bauman states that

‘socially dead’ people are directly equivalent to useless, worn-out, discarded products. Social death implies a loss of roles and status, a marginalisation and a social degradation. Social Death is the phenomenon of being regarded dead by

a society, regardless of your actual state of life. Social death represents the absence of social life. The absence of interest, closeness, caring and reciprocity- and the person to whom it happens is reduced to a helpless object rather

than an autonomous individual.

Social death means that people are treated and viewed as dead and gone while they are still very much alive. Loneliness plays such a major role in health because an absence of human connections means that there is no external

motivation for us to regain our health. In many cases, the lack of external motivation turns into a lack of internal motivation.

A decrease in loneliness, more emotional support and less practical support correlates to a decrease in mortality. An inactive and socially isolated life can have negative consequences for the perceived quality of life, and thus contributes

to the rising costs of healthcare in society. Research confirms that connectedness is vital to wellbeing. Since connectedness is a fundamental human need, it contributes to effective functioning in society. Social connectedness is seen as a precondition for (social) wellbeing, and the idea of connecting with people seems key to any set of actions for

weellbeing.

Engaging in social relations is important for our personal identity, our self-esteem and our sense of belonging. Belonging is one of the basic human needs. Data show that people who remain actively engaged in life and are

connected to those around them are generally happier, in better physical and mental health, and more empowered to cope effectively with change and life transitions. Distress, isolation and social exclusion lead to a substantial increase

in the risk of poor health and loneliness, and may even act as predictors of death.

Connectedness is the state of being connected or related. It refers to the relationship people build with others and the benefits they bring to individuals as well as to society. Connectedness can be a source of enjoyment and support. It can help people to feel they belong and take part in society as a whole. Relationship help to create what is sometimes called

‘social capital’, the networks that help society to function effectively.

Connectedness is one of the precondition for social wellbeing. The outcome of an experience of connectedness helps us build and sustain identity, create independence and shape emotional bonds.

How does someone experience or perceive being connected?It start with an encounter and is precede by explicit or implicit expectations. The encounter is evaluated in the moment

and afterwards in relation to initial expectations. This equation determines the perceived value of the encounter.

The relationship process is triggered by an encounter and driven by development and maturation of expectations and ongoing exchange. The precondition for an encounter to emerge are awareness, openness and occasion. The outcome is

an experience of connectedness that help us build and sustain identity, create independence and shape emotional bonds.

STATEMENT

FIVE WAYS TO WELLBEING

WELLBEING

CONNECTHOW TO FACE INVOLUNTARY DISCONNECTED AND THE RISK OF SOCIAL DEATH?

BE ACTIVEHOW TO FACE THE REALITY OF LIMITED POSSIBILITIES WITH THE LOSS OF PHYSICAL AND COGNITIVE ABILITES?

TAKE NOTICEHOW TO FACE PEOPLES WHO PERCEIVE YOU DEAD AND GONE WHILE YOU ARE VERY MUCH ALIVE?

KEEP LEARNINGHOW TO STOP THE LACK OF EXTERNAL

MOTIVATION THAT TURNS INTO THE LACK OF INNER MOTIVATION?

GIVEHOW TO FIND PLACE TO PUT YOUR

COMPETENCE AND RESORCES INTO PLAY?

PROPOSAL

GIVE CONNECT BE ACTIVE TAKE NOTICE KEEP LEARNING

PROPOSAL / ACTION

From the cultural agenda 'the 5 ways to wellbeing' ( a text written by Stamatia Portanova, teachers of Media and Cultural

Studies at Birkbeck University of London University)I will search collaboration (in Bucarest) for transform the

writing materials in two output first: a sound track

second: in a choreography

The performance for the event B.E.A.R consist to transform the text of the 5 ways to wellbeing in a choreography performed

by 5 dancers