EXPERIMENTALISTA is a novel type of nomadic and creative studio specialized in cities, public imagination and system change. We constantly shift-shape to accommodate high-level, transdisciplinary collaborations across the world.
Here, urban and political scientists work closely with artists, philosophers and other disciplines related to the humanities. We gather communities around questions, driven by exploration, curiosity and a relentless belief in our collective capacity to create more imaginative realities for all. For us narrative strategies are just as important as hard data; human rights are entangled with aesthetics; our subjective lives and personal beliefs are as much an area of inquiry as their objective social manifestations.
We also know experimentation is only the beginning. Ideas must take on a life of their own. Drawing from several fields and methodologies, we focus on what is needed to create deep culture shifts at different scales and depths – from a megalopolis, to a single block or company; from foundational research to experimentation on the ground; from quick, concentrated skill-building to long-term project implementation. And every detail is tailor-made for the project at hand: teams, governance structure and beyond.
Official kick-off: September 2022.
Already working with several cities and mayors across the world.
Read more details below
°°°°
What we do
We offer tailor-made services, methodologies, platforms, digital tools and narrative strategies; forming high-level specialized teams and roadmaps that fit the individual needs of each project.
The teams that congregate for each agenda, project or challenge work in the context of specific, complex and dynamic realities: exploring new paradigms, creating unique knowledge structures for urban inquiry, creative experimentation and novel forms of dynamic governance.
Some examples of our Urban + Social Innovation Services:
- Advisory for Mayors and top-level teams
- Grassroots Training
- Ecosystem Development
- Creative Governance & Participatory Practices
- Design of Portfolio of Experiments
- Project Supervision + Management + Implementation
- Narrative Strategies + Strategic Design
- Editorial content creation
- Publications + Digital Content + Design Services + Tech for Good
- Events Design (Festivals, Conferences, Hackathons, Workshops etc)
- Covid-19 Urban Strategies
Who we do it with
We work with governments, NGOs, companies, activists and communities to rehearse other possible futures. All with the aim of creating more imaginative societies – all while articulating ecosystems that are better at collectively imagining possibilities, setting social agendas, democratizing important conversations, addressing social challenges and creating public value together. We also help form strategies and teams to steward the vision for the long-term
Because our urban futures are not only to be predicted, but to be created, to be rehearsed. Which is why we need experimenting cities: where political imagination meets social creativity, adding to the repertoire of possibilities and urban DNA.
We have worked directly with Mayors and their teams (Mexico City, Seoul, Paris, Montevideo, Bogotá, Da Nang, Pasig City etc), renowned organizations (TED, Rijksakademie, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Bloomberg Associates, Hewlett Foundation, C40, NewCities Foundation, Canadian Urban Institute, MaRS Lab, UNDP, IDB etc) and universities (MIT, Harvard, University of Michigan, Tech de Monterrey, UNAM, amongst others).
EXPERIMENTALISTA IS
THE SUM OF STUDIOS
Emerging Knowledge Studio
(Research Arm)
How do we create, build and structure new knowledge when dealing with novel subjects, experimental practices or new paradigms? How do we learn how to learn?
Most methodologies and co-creation workshops often tap into existing knowledge. But what happens when there is no single expertise – or even a series of well defined expertises – that will help us define and solve the challenges at hand? Because more often than not, in the context of truly experimental and innovative practices – such as crowdsourcing a City Constitution for one of the largest megalopolises of the world – the knowledge does not yet exist, it has to be created. Going beyond easy-fix toolkits and one-size-fits-all methodologies, the knowledge studio will build internal capacity within the Experimentalista team, as well as train partners and give them access to new skillsets and tailor-made methodologies. The knowledge studio will be closely linked with the Urban Task Force – at times undistinguishable when both novel theory and implementation are needed in the context of the same project.
The Urban Task Force
(Implementation Arm)
There is a growing need to quickly understand the new conditions that are reshaping reality, to be agile and adaptive. We also have to start thinking of technological, social and cultural innovation inseparably.
Projects are designed ex-profeso for specific clients, projects, questions and challenges by adding an international layer of world-class experts to help question, frame, inspire and reskill the local teams. They will come in at different moments and with different intensities, according to the evolving needs of the project and the changing realities at hand. These Task Force teams -and their corresponding dynamic and creative governance structure- is one of the important and differentiating cornerstones of Experimentalista. Because more than a traditional consultancy, we function as partners on the ground, building expert teams and permanent capacity within organizations.
Experimentalista has access to an extraordinary pool of individuals, organizations and partnerships across the world. A transdisciplinary perspective will always be key.
The Urban Academy
(Skillbuilding + Workshops)
Lifelong learning is a neccesity in today’s dynamic world, specially in relationship to urban and social innovation. The Urban Academy offers on-demand training and skillbuilding sessions, with a tailor-made curricula. Think of it as a pop up academy of world-class specialists that convenes at your doorstep, digitally or in real life. We help create knowledge structures with the aim deepening your general innovation capacities, or preparing your team for a specific project.
Here you can find an example of our latest Masterclass, with world experts.
Creative Agency
(Narrative strategies, campaigns + digital tools)
Unique projects – such as crowdsourcing the largest informal bus system in the world – many times need unique and integrated creative services. The creative agency can help design and implement narrative strategies, urban interventions, develop digital platforms, incorporate frontier technologies, curate public events, create editorial projects etc.
And its not only cities we have worked with. Some of the content-savy clients our team has worked with include: TED, Vice, Colors Magazine, New York Times, Vogue, MTV, Luna Córnea, Aperture Foundation, Ogilvy & Mather, FABRICA, etc.