Hi everyone!
I’m aging. I’ve been doing it all along, of course, but now it’s much more visible on my face. I’m also starting to realize that it’s not so much how I feel about the process but how our society reacts that will affect my experience.
On June 17th I attended the artists’ talk of the newly opened exhibit “Art of Aging” at the Hennepin County Library in downtown Minneapolis. Four artists addressed this subject in four very personal ways.
Lucy Rose Fischer wrote and illustrated a book with a title I love: “I’m New at Being Old.” Doesn’t that say it all? We each have to go through the process with no experience. We each have to find our own way and yet we each find ourselves lumped together with everyone who’s ever been old, as if we belong to a club that we begged to join. This book reminds ourselves, if not the outside world, that we are breaking new ground, that we are explorers on this path.
In a way, the book’s title means “I’m a beginner, a neophyte, maybe even ‘young’ at this.” When I listened to Ms Fischer talk about her desire to become an artist at 60, I suddenly saw her as a girl, not as an elder with a PhD. It was a remarkable moment that made me wonder what else I missed initially.
Karen Searle is an artist, a writer, a sculptor and a mentor, a former publisher and an editor. Her work “How Mother Dressed Me” is deceptive. The five dainty dresses are knitted, but out of wire, not yarn. And hanging below each dress is a photograph printed onto silk that shows Ms Searle wearing the dress as a small girl. What first appears to be an obvious piece about fashion is instead an insightful look at the nature of women’s work, the functionality of craft, an exploration of the female spirit and a reference to her own history.
If you get a chance, check out her Body Bags. I especially enjoy her piece Body Bag III, A Tote Bag, made out of knit linen, flax fiber and rope. If I had one of these on my arm, I’m sure I’d be much kinder to my own physique. In 2008 she published a large, coffee-table book of other amazing knit artists called Knitting Art: 150 Innovative Works. It’s a blast to thumb through (knitted newspaper headlines?). I can’t wait to get my own copy.
Next up, a photographer who was asked by a woman to document her struggle with cancer and a portrait artist who captures the strength of her aunt at 101, 102 and 103 years old.
Here’s to those who are willing to show us the way… –Chris
Very interesting post, as always! I checked out the links, too. Karen Searle’s work looks amazing, and I’m interested in the book ‘I’m New at Being Old.’ (Great title!) You certainly do your homework. And I admire your ambition, kiddo.