TAK TO BYLO
Helping elderly people process their lives through drawing on waste porcelain tableware
How does it work?
Lenka Záhorková's artistic-social project collaborates with seniors, encouraging them to illustrate their life stories. The illustrations, depicting personal testimonies, crucial life situations and memories, are transferred onto waste porcelain tableware. The elderly can become the designers/illustrators and document their life moments and memories. Some of the resulting products are reproduced in a small series and sold to support the author of the illustration, the participating non-profit organisation providing services to the elderly and to cover the costs of the project.
Why is it needed?
Porcelain, which is commonly passed down from generation to generation, here serves as a medium for intergenerational communication. The whole project has evolved from the initial idea of environmentally friendly upcycling of production waste tableware that does not meet the quality standards set by the manufacturer. At the meetings, the seniors gradually create a whole set of porcelain tableware that reflects their life story. Over 200 pieces of illustrated tableware have now been created, and the project continues. Among other things, it functions as a social activity for seniors and can function as a platform for discussing the future.
How does it improve life?
Through visual, audio and written expression, the project should evoke emotions, raise questions and draw attention to the problems associated with old age. The whole project conveys ideas about the values that old age brings. On the other hand, it's like a therapeutic session where the elderly go through their lives and create something unique and tangible to pass on to the younger generation.