Is aging really scary?

Is aging really scary?

“Aging World – Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?” Installation view, 2019, at the Seoul Museum of Art In recent years, declining fertility rates and rising life expectancy have led to a dramatic increase in the global elderly population. In the context of the increasingly severe aging phenomenon, how do artists view aging? Today, Harper's Bazaar Art takes you to understand. Aging, is it scary? A whopping 57% of American millennials are afraid of getting older, according to a study by global market research firm Mintel. Nowadays, "aging phobia" and "anti-aging" have become hot words, and "young worship" has become the status quo of contemporary society. As a result, more and more elderly people are marginalized and even suffer from "age discrimination". Joyce Tenneson, Christine Lee, 67, photography, 2002 ByungHo Lee, Seated, 2019, on view in "Aging" Ageing World - Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?" The exhibition "Aging World - Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?" at the Seoul Museum of Art in 2019 reflects such social phenomena, especially It reveals the Korean culture that tends to "alienate" the elderly, and reflects the desire of human beings to fight aging. The exhibition is named after artist Anneè Olofsson's series of photographs "Will you still love me tomorrow". The artist used a pencil to draw cracks on the model's face like an old painting, and photographed it as a portrait. Anneè Olofsson, "Will you still love me tomorrow", photography (8 photos in total), 2004 Anneè Olofsson, "Will you still love me tomorrow" (Mia), photography, 2004, the artist captured The anxiety and fear experienced by aged women when their skin ages, and at the same time reflects the "irrational view" of aging in contemporary society - in order to avoid being socially excluded and alienated, even if you become a middle-aged woman, you must still be young, otherwise you will be be the object of discrimination. In contrast to China, the same is true. The word "girly feeling" that is popular on the Internet has become the goal pursued by many women. As everyone knows, behind the pursuit of "girly feeling", there is actually a hidden fear and disgust for women's aging. But in fact, different ages have different beauty, and female charm should not be limited by age and the so-called "girly feeling". Anneè Olofsson "Will you still love me tomorrow" (Kristina), photography, 2004 Is aging really so scary? Perhaps South Korean artist ByungHo Lee can bring the obvious answer. His installation, Vanitas Bust, looks like a plaster statue, but is actually made of silicone. By compressing and inflating the air inside the figure sculpture, the installation changes from a youthful and vigorous youth to a bony old age, forming an infinite cycle of rapid aging and rejuvenation. ByungHo Lee, "Vanitas Bust", silicone, inflator, 56×32×22cm, 2010, exhibited in 2019 in "Aging World - Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?" "Deep Breathing, another installation by the artist in the exhibition, is similar, and also presents the physical changes of the body over time with intuitive visual effects - the more the number of breaths, the closer it is to aging. While feeling the shock of aging, have you realized the truth of cherishing the present? Because, there will never be a moment younger than the present. ByungHo Lee, "Deep Breath", silicone, inflator, 37×164.2×57cm, 2011, exhibited in "Aging World - Will You Love Me Tomorrow?" exhibition in 2019, breaking stereotypes However, aging The resulting anxiety is not the main theme of the aging world, and people's perception of old age is not always pessimistic. Kathy Munts, "The Joy of Art and Friendship", acrylic on canvas, 45.7×60.9cm, will be exhibited in the exhibition "Aging, Art and the Modern Elderly" in 2022. In addition to the negative aspects of aging and loneliness Beyond the stereotype, aging represents experience, wisdom, precipitation, and desire for life. In July, the group exhibition "Aging, Art And The Modern Elder" at the Quesnel Art Gallery in Canada shattered the stereotypes of the elderly and presented A positive view of aging provides many hopeful pictures of this life stage. Installation view of "Aging, Art and the Modern Elderly", 2022, at the Quesnel Art Gallery in Canada, unlike the Seoul Museum of Art, this exhibition presents works on the themes of time, friendship and outdoor activities . The 16 Canadian artists in the exhibit, all over the age of 55, explore their relationship to art and what it's like to be an older person in today's world through a variety of mediums. Colorful life such as painting, camping, skiing, etc. is presented in the artist's pen, and a single gray tone is no longer a symbol of the old world. Cheryl Turner, Treasure Box of Memories, acrylic on canvas, 76.2 x 60.9cm, on view in 2022 at the exhibition "Aging, Art and the Modern Elderly" Presented by the artist The experience of old age is full of joy and energy, and perhaps people should adjust their attitudes towards the changes in their bodies - rather than avoid them, they should face aging. Wrinkles and silver hair are not the "killing knives" of the ruthless years, but the beautiful signs of life, worthy of our love for ourselves more. Barry Rafuse, The Bedside Table, mixed media diptych, 76.2 x 121.9 cm, on view in 2022 at Aging, Art and the Modern Elderly Catherine Upton (Katherine Upton) "Camping at Sugar Lake", acrylic diptych on canvas, 60.9×152.4cm, will be exhibited in the exhibition "Aging, Art and Modern Elderly" in 2022 Bravely facing aging The artist confronts aging head-on in his later years, boldly documenting his natural aging body. British painter Lucian Freud is one of them. Lucian Freud, Reflection (Self-Portrait), oil on canvas, 56.2×51.2cm, Freud created Reflection (Self-Portrait) in 1985 at the age of 63. The names correspond to each other—the artist seems to be in self-reflection, and the solemn expression seems to have a sigh of "youth is gone forever". Lucian Freud, Reflection (Self-Portrait), oil on canvas, 56.2×51.2cm, 1985 Marna Clarke, Embrace, photography, 2013 except painting In addition, photography is also one of the creative ways for the artist to express the face of aging. Artist Marna Clarke bravely confronts the horrors of aging with her documentary series Time As We Know It, featuring photos of her aging body. Artists gradually let go of the youth and body that they once took for granted, because they become uncontrollable with age, and it is the artist's choice to embrace aging gracefully. Clark says age doesn't always bother her, because when she's immersed in her work, creativity energizes her and the idea of ​​getting old recedes. Marna Clarke, "Hand on Chest," 2013, Marna Clarke, "Back Of Head," 2019 Facing the laws of nature, artists take their time Accept, and present the varied expressions of old age. So, getting old doesn't have to be scary. However, the excessive anxiety about aging in contemporary society is also deeply piercing everyone's heart. Have you experienced aging anxiety? Do you choose to accept it calmly, just like the artist? Welcome to leave a message to share. Editor, Wen Li Tian Kezi This article was originally created by the art department of "Bazaar" and may not be reproduced without permission

(Responsible editor：Share Photography)