TEMA#2
How can we redefine images of age?
Ageing, in its unstoppable manner, can be frightening. But, as human beings, ageing is part of our nature. It is what makes us all the same. It reminds us that there is an ending to everything and that everything is in steady movement. So ageing can be fascinating at the same time. It may come along with experience, power, mindfulness and wisdom. But it also comes along with stereotypes and with a certain image we have about becoming old. What does ‘becoming’ or ‘being old’ even mean? What is frightening for our grandparent's generation? What makes them laugh or gives them faith in younger generations? What can we learn from each other? Ageing isn’t an illness, it is every moment of our life.
In its second issue, TEMA wants to explore the different stages of age and aim at new points of view, while enhancing the intergenerational dialogue.
Progress vs. regress - Do technological innovations divide generations?
“There has been a tsunami of new things that kept me young.”
Walking the tightrope of nuance
Inspired by the TEMA letter project, Cecilia Zhang talked to her grandfather about his experiences. Growing up in poverty, Zhen Yu Zhou got to know both sides of humanity: the evil and the good. In his letter, he shares his hopes for the future and encourages us to always consider both sides of the coin.
The white dress
With her grandmother’s help, Sophie is searching for a way to break the monumentality of communion and wedding photographs in order to awaken the spectrum of stories and feelings behind them.
“One last time” – narrow images of being Old in movies
“The dreams of youth are not enough for a lifetime. You also need dreams for old age!”
“Nowadays we live in a very hard moment!”
Letter Project: We received a letter! Lola from Spain sent us her reflection about the world and the destruction of her own environment.
Self-images of aging: presence and desire in the work of women artists
I look for examples and images of older women* within the arts that are exciting and also show them as desirable and desiring subjects.
When the past still lingers: a conversation with the generation born behind the iron curtain
Inspired by the TEMA letter project, I interviewed my grandmother Vija to learn more about her world view. Every generation has its own story to tell. I want to tell you a story that started 74 years ago.
Active and healthy aging for a more decent old life
In the village of Ima, in the rural interior of Portugal, a promising alternative for active and healthy ageing seems to be emerging.
Worry about your pension, Europe!
"Phew," I thought, "old-age pension planning is not exactly a sexy topic".
Dear Grandma
Last year I decided to do something else: to create a generational exchange and understanding. I would like to share these reflections; just as I shared them with my grandma last Christmas.
Growing Old, being Old – reflections of an almost 70-year-old man
But that is probably the way things are supposed to go...