The deep map hub workshop is a space for work and discussion dedicated to the study, transformation, and representation of non-metropolitan areas (both mountainous and non-mountainous), often defined by stereotypes—e.g., “fragile,” “marginal,” “minor,” “peripheral”—or for which interpretations are taking shape through homogeneous processes that have yet to be verified (“resurgence,” “return,” “repopulation,” “abandonment,” etc.). It serves to review and repair – just as happens in a workshop – of methods and tools that are now commonly used in public discourse and in professional work in local communities.

(IN THE WORKSHOP) LET’S CONDUCT A CRITICAL REVIEW OF OUR FIELDWORK METHODS, STARTING WITH THE PRACTICAL ISSUES.

WHAT THE OFFICINA (WORKSHOP) DOES The Workshop aims to integrate three aspects of its work: study, act, and represent. This means working in an interdisciplinary and critical manner, acknowledging complexities and seeking to broaden the range of interpretations and interventions, while avoiding oversimplification or homogenization. The method promoted by the Officina, developed by the working group of Studi Sul Qui, begins with problems and real challenges faced by those who work in, for, and with local communities, questioning established approaches, narratives, and practices. Professionals from diverse fields—including regional policy, multimedia representation of the territory, socio-cultural anthropology, regional communication and design, social psychology, geography, regional planning, and art curation—will share their practices through dialogue and discussion. To facilitate these dialogues, the Officina invites prospective participants to share their own esigenza concreta: a “problem,” a critical issue, or a question that has arisen in the course of projects, research, initiatives, or activities related to the representation of the local area; or a design concept currently being developed for the future.

WE INVITE THOSE WHO GOVERN, STUDY, REPRESENT, AND LIVE IN THESE AREAS TO JOIN US AT THE WORKSHOP.

THE WORKSHOP IS AIMED AT PEOPLE WHO – work in public administration and are involved in local development (e.g., administrators, civil servants, etc.); – study local areas at all levels and across various disciplines (e.g., researchers, students, doctoral candidates, etc.); – are involved in communicating or representing territories through all forms of art and creativity (e.g., participants in artist residencies, territorial marketing consultants, etc.); – live in or wish to live in these territories.

BRING YOUR “PROBLEM” TO THE WORKSHOP.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE To participate in the workshop, we ask those interested to share with us a presentazione (depending on the conventions of your professional field: for example, a portfolio, a self-introduction, or a resume) and a a text of up to 1,000 characters describing the “problem”: your specific need or the key issue you wish to share, review, or address in the Workshop together with the working group. We kindly ask that you submit your materials by 06 aprile 2026 to officina@studisulqui.it, along with any specific needs or requirements (e.g., food, logistics, etc.).   BUT WHAT ARE "PROBLEMS"? At a time when we are witnessing a proliferation of initiatives—both large and small—across local communities, we believe it is time to set aside a space and time for discussion and critical reflection. We start from the idea that there is no magic formula, no standard format, and no single methodology for working in local communities, but rather a need for cross-cutting skills that allow us to be informed practitioners/storytellers/researchers, capable of interpreting the local dynamics at play and anticipating the effects and repercussions of our work. We imagine that interested participants might arrive with a “problem” to try to tackle in the Workshop.   HERE ARE A FEW EXAMPLES Those involved in regional policy as planners who would like to explore how to present and represent the outcomes of the initiatives they oversee; those who work in the arts and have participated in residencies and festivals, but would like to develop methods to contextualize their work or to understand the technical and policy frameworks within which they have been called upon to create a work; those who conduct research and would like to learn more about design aspects or discuss the tools for representing their work; those who have participated in initiatives developed by others in their local areas and would now like to try developing their own; those who live (or would like to live in a specific area) and want to play an active role in the community by developing their own project or dream; those who administer a small municipality, have a project in the works, and need feedback to help it grow; those who want to address a problem (social, economic, demographic) in their area and are looking for a space to exchange ideas with those who have an external and different perspective. These and many others.

SIX DAYS AT THE WORKBENCH, TRYING OUT ALL KINDS OF TOOLS TOGETHER.

THE PROGRAM The workshop lasts 6 days and takes place in Arvier (Valle d’Aosta) May 25–30, 2026. Busy days spent around the Officina counter, filled with discussions, exchanges of best practices, and tools. We’ll also find time for socializing, and above all, we’ll never forget to tackle the “problems.”

Day 1 – presentations – the region through the lenses of anthropology, geography, and cartography – first working session on “issues” Day 2 – Territorial policies from a consulting perspective: tools and evaluation – The territory through the lens of planning and social psychology Day 3 – the method of in-depth mapping and Studies of the Here – exploring the territory through visual tools: photography workshop – second working session on “issues” Day 4 – artistic practices from a curatorial perspective – the local area through visual media: moving images Day 5 – A Geographical Perspective on Local Practices and Initiatives – The Local Area and Communication: A Graphic Design Workshop Day 6 – Third working session on “issues” – Targeted meetings in the workshop (among participants, and between participants and staff)

THE COSTS Participation in the first edition of the Workshop is free of charge. Travel and accommodation expenses are the responsibility of the participants.   LOGISTICS The activities will take place in appropriately equipped spaces within public facilities in Arvier, in the Aosta Valley. Arvier is a town of 870 inhabitants located about 26 km from Aosta and is part of the Unité des Communes Grand Paradis. It can be reached: by car via the Turin-Aosta-Mont Blanc highway and State Road 26 (https://maps.app.goo.gl/7ef9wwxsNc5tCRuh9; we recommend using the public parking lot at City Hall) by bus from Milan or Turin (note: transfer in Aosta) to Aosta by train and Trenitalia shuttle service, and then from Aosta by local public transportation (https://aosta.arriva.it/)   ATTENDANCE POLICY The workshop is an in-person event; no remote activities will be offered. Participants who request it (e.g., for leave of absence) will be provided with the necessary documentation to verify their attendance.   ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION The deep map hub Workshop is a project by Studi sul Qui supported by “Agile Arvier. The Culture of Change,” in partnership with the University of Milan and the Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, and in collaboration with the La Fournaise Association deep map hub is conceived and coordinated by Daniele Ietri and Eleonora Mastropietro PNRR – M1.C3.INV.2.1 “ATTRACTIVENESS OF VILLAGES – LINE A”, ADMINISTERED BY THE MINISTRY OF CULTURE  PROGETTO PILOTA “AGILE ARVIER. LA CULTURA DEL CAMBIAMENTO”, FINANZIATO DALL’UNIONE EUROPEA – NEXT GENERATION EU (CUP F87B22000380001)