UNIVERSITY PARK — The HUB-Robeson Galleries present “Face Age,” a visual and audio installation, in the Art Alley through Tuesday, Dec. 11.
“Face Age” is an immersive three-screen visual and audio installation which functions as the centerpiece of the “Face Age” exhibit. Cross-generational encounters are conveyed across six sensory-rich sections, each designed to shift the observer’s embodied experience of aging. Viewers may enter the 55-minute film loop at any point for any amount of time — each encounter will provide its own experience.
Led by the power of the arts to engage communities and ideas, the “Face Age” collaboration is an innovative template for cross-disciplinary research and intergenerational community engagement.
As a model for transdisciplinary arts research, “Face Age” offers a timely case study for examining and exploring innovative ways in which third-space collaborations — particularly in arts and health — can be extended into the sphere of public engagement with measurable outcomes and impacts. The “Face Age” creators aim for a deeper understanding of the lived experience for individuals across generations and how the arts can impact people’s perceptions of aging. They also are interested in extending “Face Age” as a template for engaging the public in other important medical concerns, such as end-of-life issues, child abuse, nutrition and active lifestyles.
“Face Age” community engagement efforts begin with the personal experience encountering the installation, witnessing intergenerational interactions on the screen and listening to stories revealed by filmed “Face Age” individuals. After viewing the installation, visitors are invited to create their own “Face Age” experience by participating in an intergenerational story circle.
Following this Penn State residency at the HUB-Robeson Center, “Face Age” will be touring to museums, arts and film festivals, universities and health care centers throughout the United States and internationally.
“Face Age” core partners include the Arts and Design Research Incubator at Penn State’s College of Arts and Architecture, the Center for Healthy Aging at Penn State’s College of Health and Human Development, Penn State College of Nursing and the Department of Film Studies at the University of North Carolina-Wilmington.
