Today’s aim was to discuss “Communal Guidelines for Making” – a manifesto for Contemporary Elders. My first thoughts were, ‘Do we really need a manifesto?’and ‘Why now?’ The invitation to join an art activity solely aimed at over 60’s had been sufficient to draw me in.
According to Wikipedia, “. . . a manifesto is a written declaration of the intentions, motives and views of the issuer . . .”
Our session was led by the artist Shaun Badham and he suggested that a manifesto was ‘a reflection on how we already do things – about our core beliefs’. Shaun outlined his suggestions, then illustrated his thoughts by telling us about his Basildon Climbing Frame Project which took several years to achieve. Inspired by the rusting shapes of climbing frames in a Basildon park, Shaun set out to transform them by painting them with glow-in-the-dark paint. As his work progressed he researched the origin of the frames to discover that their shapes had been based on the Space Race and they were manufactured by the Wicksteed Company. As his research continued he discovered that the work included land that was once Plotlands. He met Nina who had once lived there and his project adapted to include Nina’s work on the history of the Plotlands. His talk reflected his earlier comments that an art project needed to be changeable, to embrace the moment and to incorporate old with new. It also required patience and persistence and that particular protect took five years.
Now he gave us a stimulus list of ten points and asked us to generate ten ideas or thoughts on what drives our approach to art.
Help! I don’t have guidelines in mind I just feel an urgent need to make something – be it something as simple as a handwritten letter to a friend or something more challenging such as a Blog record of a Contemporary Elder session. My creative urges encompass textiles, drawing, painting as well as writing. I have been making things every since I can remember. So how do I answer this list? This is where working collaboratively comes in. The joy of Contemporary Elders its that we are not alone – the others seated at our table will work with us. Shaun explained that we were to use the list of ideas that we scribbled down to draw up a list of five points for our table to contribute to the general discussion. With the input from my two companions and much discussion, we drew up this list.
1.Contemporary Elders allows self to be inspired and creative.
2.Contemporary Elders promotes commitment to supporting local art, yarn and fabric shops, recycling material whenever possible.
3.Contemporary Elders provides an opportunity to bring in personal preferences and talents
4. Members of Contemporary Elders appreciate an audience for their work but it is not essential.
5.Contemporary Elders makes everyone feel welcome.

Now Shaun requested the five points from each of the three tables: fifteen points altogther. Since three points overlapped, that left twelve. More discussion, more words. . .
And, regrettably, time was running short. The question arose again, does Contenmp[orray Elders actually need a written manifesto. Maybe a poster would be sufficient? Or both? I think that it IS helpful to have some sort of guidelines on the FPG website to explain Contemporary Elders. And I think that it would be an excellent idea to sum up our guidelines on a poster. A challenge for anyone interested?

After time to reflect at home I have modified Shaun’s list further:
Contemporary Elders
Contemporary Elders provides a welcoming and accessible space to over sixties to enable them to learn/play and explore both as a group and individually, developing new skills.
2. Contemporary Elders is committed to recycling and making use of local products’ supporting individual shops.
3. Members of Contemporary Elders appreciate feedback and encouragement from an active audience.

More reflection at home and I am back top my thoughts in the first place. Words! Words! Too many words! How do I sum up Contemporary Elders in as few words as possible. And, by the way, any guideline should definitely include the words “over 60’s”.

Contemporary Elders is a safe space for over sixties to work together bringing both challenges and joy as they explore a wide variety of art activities, revising existing skills and learning new ones.

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