Experience and engagement: the case of Venice. Combining text and visual research.

Abstract

How can the experience of Venice be defined? Through the use of photographic research, text analysis and non-structured interviews, the aim of this research is to investigate the underling mental schemes that different people have when asked to think of their personal experience in the city of Venice. How do they perceive the city? How do they engage with it? Is there a common structure? In view of recent events, the first chapter consists in the study, using photographic research and text analysis, of the feelings and thoughts of Venetian citizens during the first quarantine (March-May 2020). The second chapter presents the city of Venice as based on contradictions and oppositions, while the third chapter takes into consideration the point of view of smart workers who lived, or are currently living in Venice. Conclusions have been taken based on the three different points of view analyzed which give a holistic and comprehensive view of the definition of experience in the city of Venice.