Harry Griffin's Old Age Photography Sees Aging in a Different Light
Vasiliki Marapas — July 14, 2014 — Life-Stages
References: harrygriffin & beautifuldecay
Harry Griffin's old age photography series, titled 'Gold Coast,' depicts retirement in South Florida.
The images are rather bizarre, especially without any context, offering an alternative narrative of what we expect retirement to be. For instance, there's a shot of a man removing his dentures while wrapped in a sheet of green plastic. I can't claim to know what that's about, but it is rather bemusing.
Getting older often means becoming invisible in society. Griffin's series returns agency to these senior citizens, reminding us that, no, life doesn't "end" after 65. In fact, some might argue that's when it really begins! Above all else, the series humanizes a group of people who are otherwise collectively ignored.
The images are rather bizarre, especially without any context, offering an alternative narrative of what we expect retirement to be. For instance, there's a shot of a man removing his dentures while wrapped in a sheet of green plastic. I can't claim to know what that's about, but it is rather bemusing.
Getting older often means becoming invisible in society. Griffin's series returns agency to these senior citizens, reminding us that, no, life doesn't "end" after 65. In fact, some might argue that's when it really begins! Above all else, the series humanizes a group of people who are otherwise collectively ignored.
Trend Themes
1. Alternative Narrative Retirement - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Create retirement communities or services that challenge traditional stereotypes and offer alternative narratives for aging individuals.
2. Return of Senior Citizen Agency - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop products or solutions that empower and give agency to senior citizens, challenging the perception of becoming invisible as they age.
3. Humanizing Aging Population - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Explore ways to humanize and bring visibility to the aging population through creative ventures such as photography, storytelling, or art.
Industry Implications
1. Retirement Communities - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Transform retirement communities by creating inclusive spaces that promote alternative narratives and provide opportunities for senior citizen agency.
2. Senior Care Services - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop technology-driven senior care services that focus on humanizing the aging experience and giving seniors more control over their lives.
3. Creative Industries - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Foster collaborations between creative industries such as photography, art, and storytelling, to challenge societal perceptions of aging and spotlight the unique experiences of senior citizens.
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