"Robot Man", Basilisca.
Painting Workshop, Retreat House Ana Teresa
Moderator: Malena Merlo
Madrid, Spain, 1994-95
This small selection of works (above and below) comes from my first experience of painting workshop with the public aged in institutions.
At the time I was a student in the faculty of Fine Arts in Madrid. I always said that old age has taught me more about the profound nature of artistic language, the courses in college ...
My career choice has been deeply marked by this first meeting I could not conceive of painting, art in general, as an end in itself but as a preferred tool of introspection and social ties.
It was therefore an empirical experience of two years, which began by drawing courses specific to my great aunt Mary, the poet, who had always wanted to learn painting and recently was forced to live in an institution for the elderly.
Nobody expected that from these lessons would be born, gradually, a true amateur painting workshop in the structure. The sandstone evil "NO!" categorical and suspicious from the beginning, the desire to express themselves has made its way among other residents. Throughout the sessions, the workshop became a moment of pure enjoyment, albeit with ups and downs, it makes good use of any process of creation!
Director soon noticed the impact of the workshop in the daily lives of residents: an improvement in the morale of some people which in turn promotes relations between the residents but also the relationships with caregivers, who was quick to order and establish waiting lists to qualify for the work of "artists".
Moderator: Malena Merlo
Madrid, Spain, 1994-95
This small selection of works (above and below) comes from my first experience of painting workshop with the public aged in institutions.
At the time I was a student in the faculty of Fine Arts in Madrid. I always said that old age has taught me more about the profound nature of artistic language, the courses in college ...
My career choice has been deeply marked by this first meeting I could not conceive of painting, art in general, as an end in itself but as a preferred tool of introspection and social ties.
It was therefore an empirical experience of two years, which began by drawing courses specific to my great aunt Mary, the poet, who had always wanted to learn painting and recently was forced to live in an institution for the elderly.
Nobody expected that from these lessons would be born, gradually, a true amateur painting workshop in the structure. The sandstone evil "NO!" categorical and suspicious from the beginning, the desire to express themselves has made its way among other residents. Throughout the sessions, the workshop became a moment of pure enjoyment, albeit with ups and downs, it makes good use of any process of creation!
Director soon noticed the impact of the workshop in the daily lives of residents: an improvement in the morale of some people which in turn promotes relations between the residents but also the relationships with caregivers, who was quick to order and establish waiting lists to qualify for the work of "artists".
My hunch was confirmed: the creation capacity in the elderly just waiting, be sought. We've all seen the impact on the vitality of the elderly and what it what is its level of addiction.
This foundational experience gave birth to " workshop free expression" (see Pedagogy ) I have been perpetuated as a facilitator in various institutions for the elderly, but also as a trainer in business coaching and socio-cultural animation within CEMEA.
Here is the story of some of the meetings that I made during this first experience ...
Basilisca, 83 years.
Basilisca is a little lady closed in on itself, always in his corner and spoke to no one that started it all. She was watching us draw, my tent and I, with large eyes full of desire ... Without thinking a second I asked him to join us. "But I'm hopeless at drawing me." I told him that it was not serious, she could try anyway ... Little by little she knew, with my support, find their account. She took so much fun with colors, it has aroused, despite itself, the desire among other residents.
was the beginning of a wonderful human experience.
Certainly she was no drawing, but it had experienced a full life. The need to express it was strong, perhaps because that was all that was left in its present isolation, everything that could give meaning to his life ... The need to exist prevailed over his self-esteem.
Basilisca
Basilisca
Basilisca
Basilisca
Josefa 81.
Josefa was the second to fall in love with the colors. The influence of Basilisca is obvious. Josefa did not know at first she refused outright to participate in the workshop by exclaiming: "Draw is for kids! ". Later she would tour the residence after each workshop to demonstrate to all staff in the drawing she had done in exclaiming" it's me who's done! " .
Josefa is inspired by his memories of his native countryside: plowed fields crossed by streams ...
Josefa
Josefa
Below Josefa make a very personal interpretation of the flower pot that I made that day on the worktable. Even if the pot is at the center, the living room where she spends her days of interest: the couch cushions, shelves with TV and of course the large glass bay that gives the garden where she makes her daily walk.
"Pot of flowers in the living room," Josefa
Dolores, 89 years.
Dolores, who suffers from arthritis which did not prevent him from making his bed every morning, had speech problems. Dolores knew to say "NO!". And she answered me every time I invited him to join us at the workshop. Yet it was enough to make him a seat at the desk she settles for work!
Dolores
Dolores
The long duration of two years has the studio, Dolores has completed nearly one hundred drawings, always his "NO!" the mouth before you start.
Rosario, 78 years.
Rosario was just drawings "as small as I was" that it described as poor: home, path, tree and sun, the boat on the water ... One day She surprises us with this interpretation of a self-portrait of Malevich.
"Frankenstein", Rosario.
Pilar, 83.
Aunt Pilar, supposedly less talented than her sister Mary, surprises us in turn also letting himself go with these geometric shapes.
Pilar
Victoriana, 68.
Victoriana is attached to the studio much later. She spent a short stay in the structure in order to recover of surgery. She was not expecting at all to discover the taste of fine arts ...
Victoriana
"House of God and bakery Clarita, my neighbor," Victoriana
Nieves, 87 years.
Nieves sulfur from a full length with his entourage but enjoyed a quick wit and lucid. She resided in medicalized sector, which the anguish and isolation strongly. The workshop was a perfect opportunity for her to link with the residents they knew bolt.
"The Tree of Life," Nieves
Nieves was
compositions from cuttings that I was at his request. She often said "beauty is in simplicity ..."
compositions from cuttings that I was at his request. She often said "beauty is in simplicity ..."
Workshop led by Malena Merlo, 1994-95
Retreat House Ana Teresa Aravaca, Madrid.
