You are here: Home Research Training Group Scholars Elisa Barbieri

Elisa Barbieri

Elisa Barbieri

Scholar of the IRTG from October 2018 till February 2019


Dissertation project

In Sanskrit, Ka means ‘fruitful emptiness’. Daily Ka is the title of an experimental dissertation project investigating the possibility of integrating idleness and activity in habitual spaces, by repeating short aesthetic practices, generated by aimless walking and contemplative writing.

The hypotheses to be tested, is if repeated simple aesthetic practices in daily spaces can improve the quality of life, by stimulating a new perspective on our ordinary world, generating imagination and creativity, lowering the sense of pressure and anxiety, strengthening relationships, helping to be more focused and relaxed.

The Daily Ka project designs, leads, provides documentary evidence and finally analyzes experimental otium practices into habitual spaces, like the urban, professional, learning and housing environments, with the aim to investigate how the perception of body and space itself can change through the expansion of time achieved by the otium practice.


Elisa Barbieri held a scholarship at the Collaborative Research Centre 1015 “Otium” from October 2018  until February 2019. She focused on exploring otium practices and leisure experiences in various contemporary contexts (from urban landscapes to hospitals to working places) during her time in Freiburg.

Elisa Barbieri is doing her PhD in Autobiographical Writing at the Free University of Anghiari (thesis supervisor Prof Duccio Demetrio).

Her research centres on investigating the possibility of integrating idleness and activity in habitual spaces, by repeating short aesthetic practices, generated by aimless walking and contemplative writing.