A TREE GROWS IN KESWICK
Here at Keswick, we believe in the wisdom of elders and the idea that age should not limit one’s abilities to dream and to soar. As we recover from the pandemic and the impact it has had on society, especially older adults, we have created an interactive art project that contemplates what it means to live in a society that often favors youth and shuns older age.
In the spirit of Yoko Ono’s worldwide Wish Tree installment, we have created an interactive, intergenerational installation aimed at helping our community process what age means and to think about how society views people as we get older. This very collaborative installation asks you to respond to one of three questions through interaction with our “Tree of Life.”
HERE’S HOW IT WORKS:
Next time you visit Keswick’s Campus, ask about our Tree! Our Tree of Life will be place at our Visitor Entrance, and at the Wise & Well Entrance, at different points during the months of August, September, and October. Find our tree and the following instructions will be set up for you as well as the materials you will need to participate!
- Pick a tag and a question to answer (there are three different questions)
- Write your response on the back of tag (writing utensils are in the cup next to the tree)
- Hang it on the tree by tying the string around a branch.
It is our hope that the tree will “bloom” with hundreds of tags that reflect the ideas and responses of our community, from those who visit online and in person to family visitors, Keswick staff, and members of our Wise and Well Center.
Here are the questions:
- Have you been judged by your age? In what way?
- What does getting/being older mean to you?
- What do you like about being your age? (Please write your age as well as your answer)
WANT TO PARTICIPATE ONLINE? NO PROBLEM!
Fill out our online survey! Answer the questions anonymously online via the survey HERE. A tag will be created for you with your responses, and placed on our tree!
Share on Socials! If you are visiting online, we ask that you share your thoughts with the Keswick community, greater Baltimore, and beyond to make the tree bloom on social media for all to share and consider.
Grab a pen and a piece of paper and write down your answer to one of the following questions:
- Have you been judged by your age? In what way?
- What does getting/being older mean to you?
- What do you like about being your age? (Please write your age as well as your answer)
Post the photo of your answer on Instagram or Facebook. Be sure to include the hashtag #KeswickonAge and tag @Keswick_wise_and_well. Type your wish into the caption to make your wish available to people who use screen readers.
Thank You!
