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island of nostalgia: emotive space design

Nostalgia is a conflicting condition. On one end, it can be relaxing to reminisce on old memories. However, it can also be dangerous to dwell on the past. Although it can be difficult to not think about our past, it is important to shift focus on the present. where things have room for change. Through emotive space, nostalgia can be perceived with a more positive outlook. 

This island of nostalgia emphasizes the restorative and reflective aspects of nostalgia. The word nostalgia is derived from Greek roots - nostos (return home) and algos (longing). The goal of this island is to allow visitors to experience nostalgia in a positive manner because in the past, nostalgia had long been considered a disorder. Restorative nostalgia deals with the "return home" portion, making you want to reconstruct and relive the way things were in the past. Reflective nostalgia centers on longing and loss, letting you simmer in the wistful and yearning feelings while accepting that the past is the past.

The main island focuses on the restorative parts of nostalgia while the smaller island centers on the reflective parts of nostalgia. Visitors will make their way throughout the island while interacting with elders from Venice in the chambers in regards to their items of nostalgia. Visitors can leave behind their items of nostalgia in boxes within the chambers. Each chamber visit symbolizes leaving behind past memories while also not forgetting them. Finally, the secondary island allows for visitors to leave behind their most important item of nostalgia. This symbolizes their acknowledgement of the past being the past while also realizing that it is not about the content of the past, but our attitude towards it that can create a positive emotional experience.

WHAT

emotive space design

WHERE

madonna del monte, italy

WHO

nostalgia

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