PLAYING

FOR SOCIAL
CONNECTEDNESS:
ARCHITECTURE
AGAINST DEATH

STATEMENT
The Relationship Process
Seen from individual human perspective, connectedness can be regarded as a human right. Exclusion from the city was
almost the most serious punishment a Roman citizen could be sentenced to, second only to execution. The Latin
expression to be alive is inter hominem esse, which literally means to be among people, while being dead was called
inter hominem esse desinere, or stopping from being among humans, ceasing to be among people. Humans are social
creatures; our capacity and desire for social relationships were internalised into our DNA as we evolved.
When people are disconnected, they run the risk of becoming socially isolated and their impact as individuals in other
peoples lives is diminished. This has been addressed as social death. German sociologist Zygmunt Bauman states that
socially dead people are directly equivalent to useless, worn-out, discarded products. Social death implies a loss of
roles and status, a marginalisation and a social degradation. Social Death is the phenomenon of being regarded dead by
a society, regardless of your actual state of life. Social death represents the absence of social life. The absence of
interest, closeness, caring and reciprocity- and the person to whom it happens is reduced to a helpless object rather
than an autonomous individual.
Social death means that people are treated and viewed as dead and gone while they are still very much alive.
Loneliness plays such a major role in health because an absence of human connections means that there is no external
motivation for us to regain our health. In many cases, the lack of external motivation turns into a lack of internal
motivation.
A decrease in loneliness, more emotional support and less practical support correlates to a decrease in mortality. An
inactive and socially isolated life can have negative consequences for the perceived quality of life, and thus contributes
to the rising costs of healthcare in society. Research confirms that connectedness is vital to wellbeing. Since
connectedness is a fundamental human need, it contributes to effective functioning in society. Social connectedness is
seen as a precondition for (social) wellbeing, and the idea of connecting with people seems key to any set of actions for
weellbeing.
Engaging in social relations is important for our personal identity, our self-esteem and our sense of belonging.
Belonging is one of the basic human needs. Data show that people who remain actively engaged in life and are
connected to those around them are generally happier, in better physical and mental health, and more empowered to
cope effectively with change and life transitions. Distress, isolation and social exclusion lead to a substantial increase
in the risk of poor health and loneliness, and may even act as predictors of death.
Connectedness is the state of being connected or related. It refers to the relationship people build with others and the
benefits they bring to individuals as well as to society. Connectedness can be a source of enjoyment and support. It can
help people to feel they belong and take part in society as a whole. Relationship help to create what is sometimes called
social capital, the networks that help society to function effectively.
Connectedness is one of the precondition for social wellbeing. The outcome of an experience of connectedness helps us
build and sustain identity, create independence and shape emotional bonds.
How does someone experience or perceive being connected?
It start with an encounter and is precede by explicit or implicit expectations. The encounter is evaluated in the moment
and afterwards in relation to initial expectations. This equation determines the perceived value of the encounter.
The relationship process is triggered by an encounter and driven by development and maturation of expectations and
ongoing exchange. The precondition for an encounter to emerge are awareness, openness and occasion. The outcome is
an experience of connectedness that help us build and sustain identity, create independence and shape emotional
bonds.

PROPOSAL

W
O
T
AYS
W
FIVE

EIN
B
L
L
E

CONNECT

HOW TO FACE INVOLUNTARY DISCONNECTED

AND THE RISK OF SOCIAL DEATH?

GIVE

HOW TO FIND PLACE TO PUT YOUR

COMPETENCE AND RESORCES INTO PLAY?

KEEP LEARNING

HOW TO STOP THE LACK OF EXTERNAL

MOTIVATION THAT TURNS INTO THE
LACK OF INNER MOTIVATION?

WELLBEING

BE ACTIVE

HOW TO FACE THE REALITY OF

LIMITED POSSIBILITIES WITH THE LOSS OF
PHYSICAL AND COGNITIVE ABILITES?

TAKE NOTICE

HOW TO FACE PEOPLES WHO

PERCEIVE YOU DEAD AND GONE
WHILE YOU ARE VERY MUCH ALIVE?

PROPOSAL / ACTION

CONNECT

BE ACTIVE

TAKE NOTICE

KEEP

LEARNING

From the cultural agenda 'the 5 ways to wellbeing' ( a text

written by Stamatia Portanova, teachers of Media and Cultural
Studies at Birkbeck University of London University)
I will search collaboration (in Bucarest) for transform the
writing materials in two output
first: a sound track
second: in a choreography
The performance for the event B.E.A.R consist to transform the
text of the 5 ways to wellbeing in a choreography performed
by 5 dancers

GIVE