Haircuts by Seniors
Participatory performance
Mammalian Diving Reflex
4th October
4pm > 8pm
5th October
2pm > 6pm
Hair Evasion and New Design,
308 rue Haute, 1000 Brussels
Haircuts by Seniors is exactly what its title implies. After completing a crash course in hairdressing, these senior citizens, recently trained in Les Marolles, are here to offer free haircuts to the public for two days only!
Haircuts by Seniors puts an end to the myth that people of a certain age are incapable of keeping up with the times in our youth-obsessed culture. Haircuts by Seniors turns this norm on its head, challenging the public and spectators to set aside their vanity, relinquish control and trust the creative ability, dexterity and mental agility of a senior to command a sharp pair of scissors. This whimsical demonstration playfully dismantles the barriers of social isolation from which our oldest neighbours often suffer; ultimately, it’s a performance that delves into the intimate and rare moments shared during unlikely encounters.
Coordinators: Darren O’Donnell, Marie Lola Minimo
Production and Distribution Manager: Ryan Lewis
Artistic and Community Assistant: Caroline Kempeneers
Thanks to: Accolage vzw, Maison Sainte-Monique, Résidence Sainte-Gertrude, Forum LDC, Hair Evasion, New Design
This presentation of Haircuts by Seniors is made possible in part by the Ontario Arts Council, the Government of Ontario and grants from the Canada Council for the Arts.
About the company
Based in Germany and Canada, Mammalian Diving Reflex is dedicated to the study of the social sphere, always looking for contradictions to twist into magical experiences. They create performance events specific to a place or social environment. These creations can take many forms: theatrical productions, participative gallery installations, videos, films, objets d’art and theoretical texts. Mammalian routinely collaborates with people from all walks of life to create works that recognise the social responsibility of art, promote dialogue and break down barriers between people of all ages, cultural, economic and social backgrounds. Mammalian brings people together in new and unusual ways all over the world to create works: they claim to offer ideal entertainment for the end of the world.
