DIEGO GALAFASSI

Could You Briefly Explain The Driving Force/Motivation Behind Your Work?

I seek to work with and understand the transformative power of art. My journey began with Forum Theatre in Brazil, where I observed firsthand how art can catalyze social change. I aim to harness this potential to create spaces for imagination, healing, collaboration, and joy, thereby inspiring and facilitating transformations. Within the transformations community, I've discovered a fertile ground where artistic practices converge with resilience and sustainability. I seek to develop ways to infuse artistic approaches in knowledge co-creation, policy change, and community development.

Where/How Has Your Work Engaged With Systems Or Transformative Change-Making?

My work as a transdisciplinary artist has engaged with systems and transformative change-making through the co-creation of artistic experiences that enhance community learning and offer insights into system dynamics. In collaboration with Transformations scholars, I've explored various themes such as social-ecological trade-offs in Kenya and Mozambique, climate change in Europe, and coastal conflicts in regions like Bangladesh, Brazil, Hawaii, and Fiji. These projects have integrated arts, culture, and aesthetics into knowledge co-creation.

Furthermore, I have been hosting capacity-building programs for the creative sector, such as the Creative Climate Leadership program in Scandinavia, developed in partnership with Julie's Bicycle, to empower leaders within diverse systems like performing arts, music, and film. Additionally, with DocSociety, I am hosting the Climate Story Lab Nordic, which convenes filmmakers to support the development of climate stories, forge new partnerships, and devise strategies that drive impact and shape the film industry.

How Can The Transformations Community Support Your Work?

The Transformations Community has played a vital role in inspiring and fostering collaborations essential for evolving transdisciplinary practices. Its significance as a reflective space has been instrumental in deepening support for practitioners. Moving forward, I aim to further cultivate new partnerships and work across diverse cases and contexts to enrich our collective efforts.

Breathe is a 20-minute mixed reality experience that uses body movement, gesture, and breath (through biometric sensors) to immerse participants in the story of air. Read more about this project here.