During the 2020-2021 academic year, we participated in the Creators IN RESiDÈNCiA program, an initiative by the Institute of Culture of Barcelona (ICUB) and the Barcelona Education Consortium (CEB) that brings contemporary practices into public secondary schools. We collaborated with students from 3rd and 4th grade at the Comas i Solà Institute in Trinitat Vella, supported by teachers Joaquim Cubarsí Romans and Ruth Pleguezuelos, with mediation by Marissa Paituví from La Central del Circ.
THE CORE OF THE PROJECT
Juggling to Connect and Transform
EN RESiDÈNCiA started with a clear intention: to use juggling as a tool to connect with the environment and collaborate in groups. From this foundation, we combined juggling with disciplines like video and web design, fostering a practical and meaningful process.
The enthusiasts made collective decisions that shaped the project, exploring new ways of inhabiting the spaces in their neighborhood. Trinitat Vella became their meeting point and stage, where each action was an opportunity to share and experiment together.
Reflections on Content Publishing
The Digital Aspect
One of our main goals was to transform the role of the enthusiasts: from passive users of Instagram, YouTube, or Twitch into individuals shaping their own process. Many were unfamiliar with how to use tools in a more active way.
We developed a collaborative website using WordPress, which served to gather videos, photographs, and reflections from the project while providing them with a skill useful for their professional future. Learning to manage a digital space and publish content in an organized way are key abilities in many modern career paths.
Through this experience, participants shifted from consumers to developing a deeper understanding of digital tools, gaining autonomy and the ability to structure and present their ideas. For us, this transformation is one of the project’s most valuable outcomes.
Self-Sufficiency
We Build Our Own Equipment
During the project, the participants followed a tutorial by Dídac to design and craft their own diabolo sticks. This activity went beyond technical skills: building their own tools helped them establish a deeper connection with juggling, making the equipment feel personal and meaningful.
Through this experience, they learned to value their gear and care for it more attentively, integrating a new way of seeing and practicing juggling as an extension of their dedication and effort.
Collaborations in the Ring
Juggling as a Collaborative Game
One aspect that caught our attention during the project was the enthusiasts’ interest in rap battle contests. These improvisational competitions are highly popular among young people, encouraging wit and creativity but often involving confrontation, dismissiveness, and intense rivalry.
Inspired by this dynamic but with a collaborative twist, we introduced a juggling game called Mosaic. This activity allowed participants to explore spontaneity, trust, and collective problem-solving, all while maintaining the playful and challenging spirit that initially drew them to rap battles.
The results were enriching: they experienced the value of building something together, respecting and amplifying each other’s contributions. This activity reinforced a sense of community and offered a positive alternative to more competitive dynamics.
Collaborations in Print
The Neighborhood Through Juggling
Teresa met with the team at YANA, a magazine specializing in juggling, to explore potential collaborations. During the meeting, she shared a previously tested technique: using juggling props to capture unique perspectives through photography. This sparked the idea of introducing the concept to the enthusiasts, encouraging them to observe their neighborhood from a fresh perspective.
With this inspiration, the enthusiasts participated in a photography exercise in Trinitat Vella. The resulting images captured both the surroundings and their connection to the neighborhood. Some of these photographs were selected by YANA and published alongside a tutorial on creating a DIY kit for taking photos through juggling props. This process showcased how a shared idea could evolve into a meaningful and widely recognized experience.
Collaborations on the Streets
From Process to Action
For us, the process and the blog were already part of the outcome. It wasn’t necessary to bring them to the fragility of a performance stage, as the collaborative work and online documentation fully captured the project’s essence. However, the enthusiasts wanted to take it a step further: they proposed performing with the Mosaic game in various spaces across Barcelona.
Thanks to Marissa, who managed the permits and arranged bicycles for everyone, we organized three itinerant performances across the city on the project’s final day.
This initiative, born entirely from their own drive, showcased not only their transformation and commitment but also their ability to see an idea through to its final execution. It was a fitting conclusion, encapsulating the entire process and their evolution as a team.
A collaborative project made possible by many hands
This project would not have been possible without the participation and commitment of:
- Enthusiasts: The students of the Comas i Solà Institute, for their enthusiasm and dedication.
- Teaching Team: Joaquim Cubarsí Romans and Ruth Pleguezuelos, for their guidance and continuous support.
- Mediation: Marissa Paituví from La Central del Circ, for connecting and energizing the process.
- Institutions: The En Residència program, driven by the Institut de Cultura de Barcelona (ICUB) and the Consorci d’Educació de Barcelona (CEB), for providing space and a platform for the project.
- Photography: Teresa Santos
Thank you to all the individuals and organizations who made this possible.
