Overview
The MAGDALENA project grew out of the performance "Magdalena" and consists of a) the performance piece, b) the qualitative analysis and publication of its findings, c) a film festival and d) a journal publication. This pilot supports three aspects (b,c,d) touring of the Magdalena performance piece and expand the scope of this work to create an overarching ‘MAGDALENA Project’ that integrates comprehensive qualitative analysis of audience response to Magdalena, a film festival to promote awareness, and a peer-reviewed journal issue of publications focused on Aging and Othering.
At its core, Magdalena, the performance piece, aims to reduce the stigma around dementia and aging as it connects audiences, caregivers, and family. By telling a story that combines dance, film, projection, and spoken word, the piece explores the life and dementia of Gabri Christa's mother, Josephina MAGDALENA Aleida de Jong. This solo performance work is mobile and accessible and by sharing the story of her mother, also allows the attendees to share their stories of the person their loved one was, as well as the difficult task of taking care of their people. To measure how this performance piece (and performances in general) can have an impact and creates community activation and understanding, qualitative content analysis for MAGDALENA is proposed.
Another part of the Magdalena project is a Social Justice Film Festival MOVING BODY-MOVING IMAGE: Aging and Othering that looks at aging on screen and in the media. The festival also includes a panel, discussions, and virtual reality. Lastly, an entire issue of the online journal Scholar & Feminist will be dedicated to aging and othering and will be published in the Spring of 2021. Together all aspects of the Magdalena will help reduce stigma for dementia and aging and will help communities create a way of starting to grapple with this disease, the support needed for caregivers and people living with the disease and helps create awareness.
Project Details
To measure how this performance piece (and performances in general) can have an impact, and creates community activation and understanding, qualitative content analysis for MAGDALENA is proposed. Another part of the Magdalena project is a Social Justice Film Festival MOVING BODY- MOVING IMAGE: Aging and Othering that looks at aging on screen and in the media. The Festival also includes a panel, discussions and Virtual Reality. Lastly, an entire issue of the on-line Journal Scholar & Feminist will be dedicated to Aging and Othering and will be published in the Spring of 2021. Together all aspects of the Magdalena will help reduce stigma for dementia and aging and will help communities create a way of starting to grapple with this disease, the support needed for caregivers and people living with the disease and helps create awareness.
