The Coming of Age: A Deep Dive into Modern Ageing at Wellcome Collection
A new exhibition at the Wellcome Collection in London, titled The Coming of Age, offers a profound exploration of ageing in contemporary society. Curated by Shamita Sharmacharja, this showcase features a diverse array of artifacts and artworks that reflect the paradoxes and anxieties surrounding growing older in an era where lifespans are extending.
Centenarian Traditions and Modern Realities
The exhibition opens with a striking symbol: a pure silver sake cup, part of Japan's tradition of honoring citizens who reach 100 years old. Introduced in 1963, these sakazuki cups were initially given to 153 individuals. However, as the number of centenarians surged, the government switched to a cheaper nickel-silver alloy by the mid-2010s to manage costs. Sharmacharja notes, "it's better than a letter from the king!" This piece encapsulates the dual nature of ageing—revered yet often seen as a burden on resources.
Artistic Reflections on Ageing and Mortality
Visitors encounter a range of artworks that challenge perceptions of ageing. Sam Taylor-Johnson's 2001 time-lapse film, Still Life, depicts a bowl of fruit decaying over time, serving as a memento mori. In contrast, Sebald Beham's The Fountain of Youth from the German Renaissance offers a mythical escape from ageing, paralleling today's longevity products. The exhibition also includes Charles Darwin's skull-tipped walking stick, blending science and symbolism.
Beyond Biology: Social and Gender Perspectives
The exhibition moves beyond biological ageing to address social inequalities. Sharmacharja highlights how the COVID-19 pandemic exposed disparities in health and equity that widen with age. A section titled Acting Your Age? features portraits from the Age of Wonder project in West Yorkshire, which studies adolescence and challenges stereotypes of immaturity.
Serena Korda's sculpture series, Wild Apples, reappropriates folkloric figures like the crone through a feminist lens. Inspired by her perimenopause experience, Korda critiques the gender health gap and invites women to model for her work, dismantling traditional male gazes in art. She questions societal expectations, asking, "Are we all expected to look amazing at 60?"
Technology, Disability, and Care
Rory Pilgrim's Software Garden, a multitrack music video from a decade ago, explores technology's role in fostering compassion, featuring a robotic companion. Pilgrim emphasizes the need for tech to coexist with human services, warning against using it as a cost-cutting replacement. This aligns with Suzanne Lacy's Uncertain Futures project in Manchester, which addresses challenges faced by women over 50.
A Call for Multigenerational Dialogue
Sharmacharja hopes the exhibition will attract multigenerational groups, fostering discussions on how environment, rather than genetics, shapes ageing. She states, "There's quite a lot that we can change in society for things to be better." The Coming of Age runs from 26 March to 29 November, inviting visitors to reflect on agency and commonalities across age groups.
