Human and More-Than-Human Elders

This project, part of “Suppressed Voices of Human and More-than-Human Elders: Aged Care Memory Deaf-Icit Disorder” PhD project, explores ways to amplify the voices of both older adults and more-than-human elders, ensuring they are heard and seen. It is part of the Australian Research Council (ARC) Discovery Grant Amplifying Voices from the Royal Commission into Aged Care (RCAC). The project aligns with the Design for Health stream within the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) Design Lab Research Centre and the More Than Human Futures (MTHF) research group.

In response to the RCAC findings (e.g. Pagone & Briggs, 2021) this project aims to celebrate our shared human heritage and bring to light the voices of our elders -both human and more-than-human- within Earth’s ecosystems. The distressing neglect of our older adult’s population in aged care mirrors the disregard faced by the planet’s more-than-human inhabitants—the elders and guardians of the Earth. A parallel emerges between the oldest generation of people and the Earth’s oldest landscapes, ecosystems, and species, which often go unheard and unappreciated.

To understand this parallel, I delve into the concept of Solastalgia (G. Albrecht, 2005, 2006; G. A. Albrecht, 2019) which represents an emotional response to witnessing adverse environmental changes, often caused by human activities, such as landscape destruction, mass extinction, and climate change. Solastalgia underscores the deep connection between individuals and their environment, impacting their mental, physical, and spiritual well-being. Remarkably, the emotions associated with Solastalgia mirror the experiences of older adults in care facilities, encompassing feelings of disorientation, disconnection, displacement, depression, a sense of insecurity, hopelessness, and a loss of identity.

In essence, a parallel connection is evident in the distress caused by losing ‘home.’ Solastalgia associates’ ‘home’ with Planet Earth and Nature, while for older adults in Australian aged care facilities, ‘home’ signifies the one they have lost. Both instances evoke profound pain from the separation, resulting in mental, physical, and emotional turmoil. The commonalities between Solastalgia and aged care experiences have driven my exploration of stories in the royal commission’s ‘public hearings (Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, 2021). These elements shape this work and have contributed to the exhibition.

Likewise, I explore solutions and strategies rooted in the positive aspects of Soliphilia and the Symbiocene (G. Albrecht, 2022; Tom et al., 2023). These concepts offer a hopeful vision for a better future for our planet, society, and the well-being of both human and more-than-human elders. This vision aims to help us overcome the challenges we face in the years to come.

Finally, this study is positioned as a creative-based research and reflective practice that explores indoor/outdoor interactive art and projection mapping methods to engage empathetically contemporary Australian society. Audience evaluations will play a crucial role in this highly reflexive approach to gain insights into how interactive projection mapping can effectively engage audiences with marginalized voices. The evaluation aims to determine the impact of participants’ interactions and experiences with the artworks. This will be conducted in a natural setting through qualitative data collection and thematic analysis.

References:

Albrecht, G. (2005). ‘Solastalgia’. A New Concept in Health and Identity. PAN: Philosophy Activism Nature, 3, 41–55.

Albrecht, G. (2006). Solastalgia. Alternatives Journal (AJ) – Canada’s Environmental Voice, 32(4/5), 34–36.

Albrecht, G. (2022). Generation Symbiocene: 38.

Albrecht, G. A. (2019). Earth Emotions. Cornell University Press; JSTOR. http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.7591/j.ctvfc5563

Pagone, T., & Briggs, L. (2021). Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety Final Report—Care, Dignity and Respect (1–5). Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. https://agedcare.royalcommission.gov.au/publications/final-report

Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. (2021, June 3). Public hearings document library | Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. Trove. https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20210603073246/https://agedcare.royalcommission.gov.au/hearings/document-library?f[0]=document_type%3A751

Tom, E., Adams, M. M., & Goode, R. W. (2023). Solastalgia to Soliphilia: Cultural Fire, Climate Change, and Indigenous Healing. Ecopsychology, eco.2022.0085. https://doi.org/10.1089/eco.2022.0085

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Part of a PhD project by Catalina Giraldo

Principal Supervisor – A/Prof Jen Seevinck, Associate Supervisor – Dr Jane Turner

QUT Ethics Approval Number 4618