This heritage memory project focused on understanding and giving space for residents to exchange their perceptions of urban changes in the Agnettes neighbourhood in Gennevilliers. It involved the co-creation of a board game, the “Traversée des Agnettes” (Crossing Agnettes).

A series of workshops led to the creation of a board game that was fun to play and enabled further conversations about the neighbourhood. Small groups explored images of les Agnettes over the last 50 years, lent by the city archives to which they contributed their personal photos and memories to create a timeline. Through the inclusion of participants’ memories into chance, badluck and souvenir cards, a game was gradually developed to visually and artistically materialize how the past, present and future of the neighbourhood intertwine in the perceptions of residents.

The game was designed to:

• give material form to residents’ memories and perceptions of urban renovation, gathering stories and images into a “sensory map” of lived experience.
• create accessible, playful, and non-intimidating opportunities for conversation, valuing past and present lived experiences, and inviting projections into the future.
• exchange perceptions of neighbourhood social dynamics and infrastructures that facilitate conviviality and participation.
• celebrate the role of the Saâd Abssi Cultural and Social Centre within the community and the neighbourhood.

CREATIVE TEAM

Sarah HARPER - project conception and artistic direction
Dr Noussayba RAHMOUNI - co-conception, mediation and research
Pascal LAURENT - production et graphic design

PARTNERS

Ville de Gennevilliers
- Laura MEZZIANI, Agent du développement local du quartier des Agnettes
- Oscar PIERREPONT, interne for Gennevilliers council
- Espace culturel et social Saâd Abssi
- Service des Archives de la ville