“Begging for Youth” – Interactive Street Performance Art – Debi Oulu

As a woman quickly approaching her 50’s, the issue of “aging” consumes me. Me, and just about every other woman I know is in a constant battle to fight aging on one hand and to accept our aging on the other. A part of us instinctively knows that the longer we look “younger” the more “acceptance” we will have by society whether it is in the work force or socially.

The older we get, and the older we “look”, the more discrimination we feel. When women reach the “granny” stage in their appearance, they are largely ignored by society and treated as redundant if not completely invisible.

Yet the age demographics is changing dramatically in our society. With lower birth rates and living longer years, we are facing a huge increase in “older” people in our society. In fact, it is estimated that in some western countries, within 20 years the largest population group will be those over 65 and the average age will be close to 50 years old. If we continue to ignore this group, they will become a heavy burden financially as well as socially.

In the art world, emerging artists (artists who are at the beginning of their career), are usually defined as up to 35 years old. I began my full time career as an artist at the age of 45. Due to financial reasons and raising a family, I was unable to commit 100% to my art until then. Since then I have immersed myself in the art world and have been on a wild adventure trying to build my career as an artist.

While my art and I have been accepted very positively in what would be called, “Alternative venues”, the conventional art scene; Galleries, Museums, Graduate School, specially funded programs for new artists etc.. – These do not see me as a “good investment” and as such I have been denied entry.

I am not a “cry baby”. This piece is not about me complaining about my not getting accepted etc…., In fact, the rejection by the “Institution of Art” has been a great source of inspiration for me in my creativity and discovering alternative outlets for my art (such as gallery P8).

I do though feel very strongly that we need to change our attitude towards things that are “old”, “broken”, “used” ; whether it is electronic equipment, clothing, or people. Our “disposable” attitude towards things and relationships is detrimental to our society and these values must change.

My performance piece is attempting to bring these issues forward to our consciousness.

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My first performance will take place April 12th outside of P8 Gallery. I have chosen this venue for my first performance, because they are a gallery that does not practice discrimination. In fact it is a cooperative gallery run and managed by artists.

link to my event, and the P8 Gallery event.

https://www.facebook.com/events/398225403618290/?notif_t=plan_user_joined

I will post pictures ASAP after tomorrow

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A few links to relevant articles on the subject:

http://www.ey.com/GL/en/Issues/Business-environment/Six-global-trends-shaping-the-business-world—Demographic-shifts-transform-the-global-workforce

http://www.michaelfreedman.co.uk/2011/12/ageism-in-the-art-world/

http://ancientartist.typepad.com/ancient_artist_developing/ancient-wisdomemerging-artist-a-business-plan-for-the-mature-artist.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/daniel-grant/is-there-an-age-limit-for_b_693780.html

http://www.guardian.co.uk/culture-professionals-network/culture-professionals-blog/2012/nov/26/young-emerging-artists-label-problem

http://www.oraruven-art.com/#!contact email or ora ruvenn oraruven@gmail.com 972-508616001