Arts Lab 6.0: Salah Mehdaoui - Month 2

The second month here has been full of new feelings and experiences. The "honeymoon phase" of volunteering is over, and things feel different now. Even so, I’m still motivated and focused on my work. For my personal project in the JEMOM program, I made a one-minute video about the death trains incident. Although the topic was heavy, I tried to end the video on a hopeful note. I also worked on the sound design to make it as immersive as possible.  

Before the exhibition, we had a caravan at Școala Gimnazială "Otilia Cazimir" in Iași. Each of us presented our projects to the students in small groups. It was exhausting with so many rotations, but I enjoyed getting to know the students. Some were very interested in my project and even offered to help record audio for it. One moment that touched me deeply was when a group of students waited for me outside to introduce me to their parents. It was such a kind and warm gesture that I will never forget. 

On the day of the exhibition, everyone felt nervous because it was our first time showing our work. We worked hard to clean and rearrange the space—it looked completely different afterward. While there weren’t many visitors, it was still a good opportunity to gain experience and share our creations.  

As part of the alternative museum methodology, each artwork needed an interactive element. For mine, I used a workshop similar to the one I did with students in Iași. Each person had to create a storyboard and tell a story of their choice. It was wonderful to see how creative and personal their stories were.

After the exhibition, we returned to the cemetery cleaning project. This time, some local people joined us, and they did an amazing job clearing trees and bushes. We uncovered tombstones that had been hidden for over 20 years. My role was to create 3D scans of the area and upload them to the organization’s website. With my experience in 3D art, it was straightforward, but it felt meaningful to contribute to preserving history.  

Later, we had a second exhibition in Iași. This time, many visitors came, and they were very interested in what we had made. It was a busy but rewarding day, and I felt proud to see our hard work appreciated.  

In early November, we had another caravan, this time at Colegiul Tehnic "Anghel Saligny" in Bacău. I worked with Yasser and Kristers on a workshop about filming and acting. Each group had 15 minutes, and we created short scenes together. The students were so excited because it was something new and fun for them. Their energy made it one of the most enjoyable caravans I’ve done so far.  

Now, I’m working on the second project, MAF (Muzeul Alternativ de Folclor), at Liceul Tehnologic Petru Rareș in Târgu Frumos. The students here are incredibly talented and full of energy. I’ve loved bonding with them—they’ve shared stories about their lives and plans for the future, and some even want to hang out after school. It feels great to connect with them on such a personal level.  

This month has been busy but full of meaningful experiences. I’m excited to see how the second project unfolds and what the next weeks will bring.

Report by Salah Mehdaoui, a volunteer from Algeria and one of the 14 participants in Arts Lab 6.0, a project co-funded by the European Union through the European Solidarity Corps program.