Panchine rosse – Red benches as powerful symbols against violence against women
Panchine rosse - Red benches as powerful symbols against violence against women
| Keywords | Anti-Discrimination Civic Engagement Critical Thinking Human Rights Accessibility |
| Target Group | Other |
| Used Methods | Other |
| Categories | Empower Rights Peaceful Protest Political Participation |
| Level of Participation | National Level |
| Approach | Low-Threshold |
| Format of the Method | Analog (Face To Face) |
| Duration of preparation | Long-Term (Over 6 Months) |
| Duration of implementation | Long-Term (Over 6 Months) |
| Website | The artist: Karim Cherif https://www.karimgraffiti.com/slideshow |
Duration
| From | Until |
Short Description
Panchine Rosse (red benches) are a social and artistic project from Italy that draws attention to violence against women and femicide. They have been placed in public places since 2014 and their red colour symbolises the empty space of a woman who has died as a result of violence. The first bench was designed in Turin by artist Karim Cherif in cooperation with Acmos. It often contains eye motifs, slogans against violence and references to the Italian hotline 1522. The benches are ‘civil monuments’ and are intended to promote awareness and solidarity, especially among young people. Today, they can be found in many Italian and European cities. They have become an international symbol against gender-based violence and serve as a reminder: Violence against women is an omnipresent social problem.
Panchine Rosse (rote Bänke) sind ein gesellschaftliches und künstlerisches Projekt aus Italien, das auf Gewalt gegen Frauen und Femizide aufmerksam macht. Seit 2014 werden sie an öffentlichen Orten aufgestellt und symbolisieren durch ihre rote Farbe den leeren Platz einer Frau, die durch Gewalt ums Leben kam. Die erste Bank wurde in Turin vom Künstler Karim Cherif in Kooperation mit Acmos gestaltet. Sie enthält oft Augenmotive, Sprüche gegen Gewalt und Hinweise auf die italienische Hotline 1522. Die Bänke sind „zivile Denkmäler“ und sollen das Bewusstsein und Solidarität, besonders auch bei jungen Menschen, fördern. Heute stehen sie in vielen Städten Italiens und Europas. Sie sind zu einem internationalen Symbol gegen geschlechtsspezifische Gewalt geworden und mahnen: Gewalt gegen Frauen ist ein allgegenwärtiges gesellschaftliches Problem.
Results
Project website: https://www.panchinerosse.it/
Goals
This art form is at the service of social concerns and combines artistic expression with activist intent. The Panchine Rosse are an example of this, as they: make a social problem visible – violence against women, promote a public dialog, combine remembrance and education,
enable collective participation (through communities, schools, NGOs, etc.).
What is needed
To realise the ‘Panchina Rossa’ project in your city, you need permission from the city council to place a red bench in a public space. Organise a weatherproof bench and paint it red, possibly with slogans against violence and the emergency number for help. Find cooperation partners such as women’s refuges, schools or artists to support you. Finance the project through grants, donations or sponsors. Prepare information material, do public relations work via local media and social media and plan an inauguration event to raise awareness. Optionally, you can offer accompanying activities such as workshops or lectures on the prevention of violence. In this way, you can send a visible signal against violence against women and raise social awareness. * Panchinerosse™ has been a registered trademark since its inception (MiSE Reg. 302019000091224). Use of the trade mark is granted free of charge, subject to request for installation of the bench at isa.maggi.statigeneralidonne@gmail.com
Materials:
– Weatherproof bench (wood/metal, possibly used or new)
– Red exterior paint and brushes/rollers
– Signs/info boards (optional: weatherproof prints, displays)
– Spray stencils or foils for lettering/symbols if required
Costs:
– Bench: approx. €200-1,400 (depending on materials and new purchase)
– Paint and painting accessories: €30-100
– Information board/signs: 50-200 €
– Event costs (inauguration, advertising): variable
Spaces:
– Public outdoor area (with permission from the city)
– In preparation: workshop, garage or school room for painting
Technology:
– No special technology required; possibly loudspeaker/microphone for inauguration
– Photo camera for documentation/press
Personnel:
– 2-5 people for organisation, set-up and public relations work
– Support from local initiatives, schools or artists is helpful