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Description
We have observed two problems - growing marginalization of issues concerning the elderly, and increasing fear of old age and passing. The reasons for this include inadequate social and welfare policy. Cultural and economic policy is also inadequate as it increasingly makes strong, healthy, attractive and productive people the focus, while undervaluing older people. The project aims to create a model for artistic activity to combat exclusion of the elderly from the world of modern art and community life, and to bring about true dialogue between generations. We will present a cross-generational modern opera composed by Sławomir Wojciechowski based on a Przemysław Klonowski libretto on the subject of passing on and becoming a thing of the past, but also rejection. In the opera, we allude to myths about ancient heroes and what became of them. We draw parallels with the fate of heroes of drama and musical theater who depart from the stage after many years but retain their talent and artistic ability. The creative process will take place at the Skolimów Polish Stage Actor Retirement Home, the project partner. There will be discussions with artists about their experiences, passion, problems, and views on life as an elderly artist, rehearsals, joint read-throughs, discussions, and the making of film and audio recordings. We will make a documentary on artistic collaboration. Parts of the film recordings will also be used as the video scenery for the opera. The artistic activities will draw artists'' and the public''s attention to the fact that issues of old age and ageism are not addressed in contemporary art. The premiere of the opera will be seen by approximately 100 people. Due to the special venue - Muzeum Królikarnia, and the envisaged close contact with the performers - who will be close-up observers - we plan to put the opera on again the next day. The film will be available online for free, and will be widely promoted.
Summary of project results
The project responds to the problem of social exclusion of senior citizens. Policies for older people and the problems of older people are still a marginal issue, while the fear of ageing and death is growing. Social and welfare policies - including the lack of developed senior medicine, as well as cultural and economic policies that do not take into account the diversity of the target group, their different needs or abilities, and where strength, health, beauty and productivity are most valued - only exacerbate the problem of undervaluing senior citizens. Artists and the younger generation show little interest in these issues.
The project staged an intergenerational contemporary opera entitled ''Ithaca'', which explored the themes of leaving, dying and rejection. The content of the opera referred to the myths of ancient heroes and their subsequent fates. Work on the opera took place at the Association of Polish Stage Artists, Wojciech Boguslawski''s House of Artists - Veterans in Skolimów (a partner in the project), with the participation of senior actors and active artists. A film entitled ''The Road to Ithaca'' was produced, documenting the process of the opera''s creation and introducing the profiles of the heroes. The film was available free of charge on the Internet. Elements of the film were used as video scenography for the opera. The opera itself was performed at the Theatre Academy in Warsaw. A total of six performances took place. The Project Promoter also organised a series of meetings and workshops with senior citizens to discuss and research exclusion from culture and the arts. A total of 291 people took part in 10 meetings held in different parts of Poland - Masuria, Podhale, Greater Poland, Silesia and Warsaw. In addition, a special meeting and a two-day sensory-motor workshop for seniors were held in Warsaw. The Project Promoter also recorded podcasts with specialists from various fields - conversations about how art responds to the problem of exclusion.
The live performance was seen by 620 people. On the other hand, 291 people took part in the workshop and research meetings. These activities drew the attention of artists, as well as film and opera audiences, to the neglect of ageing and widespread ageism in contemporary art. The project was a kind of pilot - a model for artistic activities that counteract the exclusion of senior citizens from the sphere of modern art and social life in Poland. It succeeded in establishing intergenerational cooperation based on contact, empathy, listening to the experiences and needs of all parties. The programme is an example of joint activities of respected senior actors, musicians and middle-aged musicians, art students and people representing senior citizens.