Dibujad, malditos! The drawing ring

Held in the depopulated historic centre of Villena, Spain, el CASC, a festival of architecture, art and design, brings together residents, artists, architects, designers and students. With Grupo Aranea and the Alicante school of architecture, Alice Stevens proposed “Dibujad, malditos!”, a ring-shaped art installation.

Three drawing sessions followed one another: drawing what was there on the outside of the ring; “blind” drawing on the inside, to try out a different perception of everyday landscapes; and finally free drawing on both sides. That last session was a moment of sharing, festive gathering and discovering on-site drawing for everyone taking part.

The project offered a creative way to take ownership of everyday landscapes and reconnected residents with an abandoned part of the town. Young people were especially enthusiastic, and it was thanks to them that adults joined in. El CASC has been held again for several years and has genuinely changed how these neglected neighbourhoods are seen.