SENIOR CITIZENS AS SUPERHEROES
In an age of blockbuster movies about comic book heroes with supernatural powers it is hard for any mere mortal to compete, much less aging adults who are no longer at the height of physical prowess. So it is extra special to learn about the refreshing take on senior citizens Yoni Lefevre had. According to Today.com the Dutch visual communication designer was searching for a way “to give a positive image of this aging society” and by reaching out to a group of local school children in Eindhoven, Netherlands, she discovered many children they see their grandparents as real life superheroes.
In her project, “Grey Power,” Lefevre asked the children to draw pictures of their grandparents. Armed with the colorful images, she scanned the children’s artwork to create life-sized photos. Along with Truce Gelissen and Juno Lefevre, Lefavre said she “made the suits inspired by the children’s drawings, but also to communicate this superhero view of the elderly by the children.’’
She also made props based on the drawings and asked several elderly area residents to help bring the artwork to life.
To take the project to the next level, photographer Nick Bookelaar had the senior citizens strike a pose as depicted in the children’s artwork. To further incorporate the drawings into reality, the “models” wore the playful outfits and were surrounded by cutouts from the life-sized photos Lefevre created. Project “Grey Power” turned the senior citizens into the vibrant superheroes the children visualized.
According to Lefevre, the media in the Netherlands often depict the elderly as people who are lonely are isolated rather than the way today’s senior citizens view themselves, as active and independent. This discrepancy was the inspiration behind “Grey Power.”
Both the senior citizens and they children were happy with the project. While one of the senior citizens told Lefevre it made him happy and proud to see the way the elderly were portrayed in children’s drawings, the project was best summed up by a little girl viewing the final photos, ’Wow, this grandma is really cool!’’’
To learn more about Yoni Lefevre’s “Grey Power” and to view some of Nick Bookelaar’s photos from the project, please visit Today.com.
If the time has come to ask for help caring for your aging loved one or if your family member is no longer able to live independently, please contact the knowledgeable staff at California Registry to help you find elder care services or an assisted living facility within California that is customized for your needs and budget.