With the ARTECOM project, within Spoke 1, young people become co-creators of an interactive artwork

Throughout the day of September 26, at the Parco del Castello in L’Aquila, the project ARTECOM – ARt, TEchnology and COMmunity: digital installations for the inclusive enjoyment of the city’s cultural heritage was presented through a practical demonstration and a theoretical illustration of its results.

The event was part of the “Pop-up della Ricerca” (“Research Pop-ups”), in which the University of L’Aquila, together with the “A. Casella” Conservatory and the University of Teramo, as partners and collaborators, showcased-through tools, images, and interactive demonstrations—the products and activities of various research groups. The initiative spans a wide range of scientific and cultural disciplines, addressing both adults and children.

ARTECOM aims to serve as an inclusive bridge between art, memory, generations, identity, territory, and innovation. The project was conceived with the goal of making art accessible to everyone, freely and inclusively, using it as an educational and formative tool, particularly for young people. It is set within the broader context of the urban and cultural reconstruction of L’Aquila, offering young generations a creative space where cultural heritage interacts with digital languages.

At the heart of the initiative lies an interactive technological demonstrator that combines art, music, and artificial intelligence to create an immersive and personalized experience.

The installation employs sensors, images, sounds, and projections that transform in real time based on the visitor’s characteristics, resulting in a dynamic and participatory artistic environment.

The composers from the “A. Casella” Conservatory created five soundscapes, based on environmental recordings from L’Aquila and inspired by different personality traits. Through direct interaction, young participants become co-creators of the artistic work. Each gesture, sound, or movement contributes to building a collective narrative, in which art becomes a means of expression, growth, and inclusion.

The process culminated in a public collective performance, where the entire community took part in a shared artistic experience. In this way, ARTECOM, within the framework of Spoke 1 of RAISE, fully achieves its mission as a bridge between past and future, between individuals and the community, enhancing cultural heritage through technological innovation and creative expression.

The ARTECOM project is led by the University of L’Aquila (UNIVAQ), with partners: the “A. Casella” Conservatory of L’Aquila and the University of Teramo, and collaborations with CUEIM – University Consortium for Industrial and Managerial Economics, and Cykel – Web Agency & ICT Consulting.

ARTECOM – ARt, TEchnology and COMmunity: digital installations for the inclusive enjoyment of the city’s cultural heritage is funded under the “Public Call for the Selection of Project Proposals Submitted by Public Universities and Research Institutions Located in the Southern Regions for Research, Development, and Experimentation Activities in the Fields of Interest of the RAISE Ecosystem – Robotics and AI for Socioeconomic Empowerment”, issued by Spoke 1 as part of the objectives of the RAISE Innovation Ecosystem Research Program, funded by the European Union – Next Generation EU, under PNRR MUR – M4C2 – Investment 1.5.