Giulio Locatelli's Magic Carpet Weaves Art and Therapy in Lodi

Artist Giulio Locatelli (Bergamo, 1993) launched Magic Carpet, a participatory art project born from the pandemic, in collaboration with cultural association Platea Palazzo Galeano and the UONPIA (Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry) unit of ASST Lodi. The project involves a weaving workshop and a collective happening to create a large magic carpet (1.50×7 m, mixed weave) that merges art and care. Participants, including young patients from UONPIA, work together under the guidance of doctors Paola Morosini, Marta Bentivoglio, and Marina Bonomi, reflecting on trust and resilience. The carpet, envisioned as a colorful labyrinthine design, symbolizes rebirth and aims to foster self-awareness and social reconnection. Locatelli acts as a director, weaving participants' contributions into a unified artwork. The project first took shape in 2020 and has since evolved into multiple experiences. Locatelli hopes Magic Carpet becomes a symbol of representation for youth and a portable tool for care that empowers vulnerable individuals.