progetti

Projets

COMMUNITY WORK

Our philosophy originates from a democratic space where design responds to the needs of participants.

T-Save

How much CO2, water, electricity did it take to produce a T-shirt?

These are the questions at the origin of T-SAVE, a new project conceived by Talking Hands that unites three major players: Talking Hands, Angoli di Mondo Coop. Social and Engineer3d.

It was decided to collect 1,000 used tees. Starting with this simple garment, we began to imagine its creative reuse.

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Ph. Veronica Gorianska

50 Kg

From the collaboration between Talking Hands and studiolucianobertoncini comes "50Kg", a collection of 50 limited and numbered edition plaids included in the new outdoor catalog of the upholstery company WOW Italy.

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Ph. Federico Marin ©2022 Location: Lanificio Paoletti

I Make Your Mask

In March 2020, in order to raise awareness among citizens and contain the spread of the covid-19 virus, Talking Hands decided to convert production lines and standards to manufacture washable protective face masks. The campaign aims to widen the use of the protective mask in those sections of the population who do not have a permanent home, who live in reception centres, who spend the night in homeless shelters or whose situations dictate that they are not informed on the guidelines to deal with the pandemic.

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Slides: Ph. Matteo De Mayda

Talking Hands & Romanelli Family

After a random and virtuous meeting in a local Treviso market, the Romanelli Family and Talking Hands collaboration began. The Romanelli Family are hoteliers who run Novecento, Hotel Flora, and Casa Flora. The two organisations have shared values of sustainability, diversity, inclusion, quality craftsmanship and tradition. These values formed the basis of our capsule collection which comprises custom-made kimonos, shawls, clutches and bags. The kimonos are used as bathrobes by guests of Romanelli hotels and the accessories are exhibited and sold in their lobbies. Exposing guests to the high quality and transcultural tailoring helps raise awareness of refugee potential.

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Gallery: Ph. Federica Trevisan

Mixitè

This newly created capsule collection is called Mixité. It is a celebration of diversity that comprises reversable, unisex coats. Even though they are cut from the same pattern, each coat is a unique representation of differing tailors and fabrics. One side of the coat is created from African wax fabric and the other is Italian Paoletti wool. The Lanificio Paoletti mill was founded in 1795 and has been manufacturing Belluno Prealps wool for ten generations. Their wool has no artificial bleaching or coloring and because it is sourced locally, it has a zero carbon footprint.

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Gallery: Ph. Commesso Fotografo - Francesco de Luca.

Woven stories

Woven stories is a series of chairs and home accessories created by Studio Zanellato Bortotto and Talking Hands. The products were developed through a unique and unusual process that centred on the exchange of diverse ideas. Dialogue between the tailors and blacksmiths generated unique group sketches that embodied participants' personal histories. The end result is a dynamic and lively series. Woven stories represents our values of inclusion and creativity. It highlights how intercultural dialogue can help in spreading knowledge and in overcoming barriers.

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Making-of by Camilla Martini & Marco De Vidi

Link to video

Gallery: Ph. Commesso Fotografo - Francesco de Luca.

Rifùgiati

Rifùgiati are micro-spaces, or playgrounds, for children created by designer Matteo Zorzenoni in collaboration with Talking Hands. The structures are made up of recycled materials that have been enriched by bold and colourful artwork. Such artwork was inspired by contemporary African textures, thus giving life and character to the micro-spaces.

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Product: Michele Amaglio

Desire Week Workshop Gallery: Commesso Fotografo - Francesco de Luca

Home Delivery

Delivering artefacts to homes has become a Talking Hands custom. The wooden objects are transported throughout the neighborhood with the literal and symbolic action of “open arms”. These neighborhood walks enable intercultural exchange as participants are encouraged to interact with people who may not necessarily seek out the work of Talking Hands. This facilitates open dialogue, mutual understanding and connection through design appreciation.

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Gallery: Ph. Talking Hands Archive

Side by Side

As Talking Hands aims to increase employment and social inclusion of people seeing asylum, we believe in the importance of creating relational networks. Therefore, Side by Side was born. Side by Side is a political platform that unites people with diverse histories and identities to create awareness and change public perceptions for people who have experienced being a refugee. Together with Side by Side partners we are capable of opposing the growing feeling of hostility and racism that plagues society, and to fight against all forms of social, class and gender discrimination.

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Campaign: Ph. Michele Amaglio

Gallery: Talking Hands, Melania Pavan, Daniele "Cappe".

Side by Side (Venice 9.02.19) / Fight/Right (Rome 16.12.17) / Side by Side (Venice 19.03.17)

I Learn Italian With My Hands

Thanks to our collaboration with Auser Cittadini del Mondo volunteers, we offer free literacy and Italian language classes. They are a direct result of Talking Hands’ participatory consultation process and are taken up by approximately 15 students. Classes occur in the Talking Hands studio twice a week. They focus on basic literacy as well as technical terminology used in relevant professional contexts. We find that because this project responds to a specific and tangible need, participants are highly motivated and learn the language easily.

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Gallery: Ph. Talking Hands Archive

Gilet Jaune

In this project, the high-vis vest, commonly used as safety equipment, is decorated with African fabric. This is done to enhance the aesthetic properties of the jacket but more, importantly, to make the wearer more visible.

In fashion literature, the uniform is often defined as a platform to signal identity and belonging in a community. In Jaune Gilet, the idea of a uniform is taken one step further to symbolise the inclusion of a group. People from refugee communities are therefore given representation in a society that tends to ignore or marginalise them.

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Gallery: Ph. Matteo De Mayda

Blue Carpet

This embroidered blue denim rug is the collective work of Talking Hands participants and local residents of Treviso. It was carried out in the summer of 2017 in Via Dalmazia public park. This time signalled the arrival of many people seeking asylum and so to increase integration opportunities, the work was conducted within the community. We were approached by many people of the general public who enthusiastically contributed to the project. The embroidery represents a map of the world, it tells the story of a journey from one continent to the other. We purposefully chose to embroider onto a rug as it something that is universal to nearly every home and therefore relatable from a cross-section of cultures.