ABOUT A WORKER has been invited by Mohamed El Khatib ( artist, curator & theater director ) to imagine a project for LBO ART CENTER, a creative initiative inside a retirement house near Chambéry, France, giving many artists the possibility to co create projects with caregivers and residents on site.

BRINGING GLAM at the retirement house

When we first visited Les Blés D’Or’s retirement house, we were in awe by the staff’s dedication towards the residents well-being. Caregivers were constantly near the residents to assist them on a medical and emotional level, through indoor and outdoor activities. We have seen them sing, dance, play games while enjoying their precious time together. Les Blés d’Or’s Retirement House felt like a family home.

However, settling in it can often feel fearful. For many residents, this step in life represents a melancholic and diminishment path.

As ABOUT A WORKER’s initiative is to empower people through collective art projects, we have decided to give Les Blés d’Or residents and caregivers the possibility to become stylists and models , by conceiving together scenes inspired by the residents beautiful memories, while using the retirement house’s found objects.

LIVING IN A FASHION PHOTOSHOOT

Fashion shoots always makes viewers dreams. That is the reason why we wanted to give the residents and caregivers a platform for many reverie scenes. Our aim was to lead them to feel beautiful by becoming the stars of the project. A huge thanks to the caregivers who helped to style the different themes while making the participants feel comfortable.

the calendar

We created 12 different settings as our aim was to create a calendar valuing the many faces of the retirement center. The scenes were all inspired by seasonal festivities but also the residents favorite memories and habits. During the opening each resident and caregiver who participated in the project got their own calendar!

LBO’S ART CENTER OPENING

During the opening we showcased for the first time the calendar to the public, but also organised a fashion shoot with the shooting room we had created. Everyone could join and take there photo!