For the past 18 months the Mobile Media Lab-Montreal have been collaborating with RECAA (Respecting Elders: Communities Against elder Abuse) on a variety of digital media projects. RECAA came together ten years ago to raise awareness of elder abuse within ethno-cultural communities and to foster a “culture of respect” towards the elderly.
RECAA practice Forum Theatre as an alternative model for discussing these sensitive issues within the context of ethnocultural difference in Québec. Founded by Brazilian dramaturge Augusto Boal in the 1970’s, Forum Theatre presents short scenes that are non-verbal. A dialogue then takes place with the audience, thought of as “spect-actors,” who work with the actors in RECAA to find solutions to the complex dilemmas presented.
RECAA play a vital role within the ACM network: a long term collaboration with RECAA, under the title “Activist Ageing and Digital Media,” is in process. The goal of this suite of projects, developed together, is to translate RECAA’s methods for face-to-face communication into appropriate digital media forms and formats.
The collaboration with RECAA has gone through several phases:
Phase 1. October 2011- June 2012.
In this first phase the Mobile Media Lab (MML) and the Atwater Library and Computer Centre (ALCC) worked with RECAA on the basics of digital filming and editing. In exchange, we learned more about elder abuse and became aware of the strong connection between the ACM/MML’s commitment to participatory media practice and Forum Theatre methods.
Outcomes:
1. RECAA’s first video. A five minute film “Respecting Our Elders” filmed by members of RECAA, with editing guidance from Sophie Guérin.
2. A slide show showing images of the history of RECAA was presented on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.
3. Event. A collaboration on the production of World Elder Abuse Awareness day that involved multiple “acts,” great food, and a spectacular series of portraits of participating elders. This RECAA event was produced in collaboration with COPSI, the ALCC and the MML. It was attended by over one-hundered people and provided a wonderful way to showcase the energy and commitment of seniors to social change.
Phase 2. September, 2012- present.
This past year RECAA received a New Horizons grant on ageism and inter-generationality called “The Golden Feedback Loop.” As well as continuing their training in filming and editing with the MML, the grant enabled RECAA to develop new Forum with students from James Lyng High School and new workshops with artist-in-residence Lib Spry. Kim and Sophie were elected to the Board of RECAA at RECAA’s Annual General Meeting in October, 2012.
Outcomes:
1. Videos. Several new video productions are in process and will be presented at World Elder Abuse Awareness Day in June.
2. RECAA on Youtube. RECAA published their first Youtube video, a moving analysis by Susie Raphals (who moved to Montreal from the US ten years ago) on guns and the misinterpretation of the American Constitution’s Second Amendment by associations such as the National Rifle Association. Filmed by Susie’s friend and RECAA coordinator Anne Caines (on her iPhone) Susie powerfully addresses her point of view and arguments to the United States Congress. Susie died four days after the video was shot and these are her parting words to President Obama. http://youtu.be/YT4xOb_0lzE
3.RECAA On-Line. The RECAA website, Facebook page, and domain name are under construction and being populated with digital content created by RECAA. recaa.ca.
4. A paper. Tactical Mediatization, forthcoming in the Dutch Journal, MediaCulture. You can read the abstract here:
5. Events. World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, (coming to a venue near you!) June 13, 2013.
Phase 3. June 2013- June 2014. Future collaborations.
The MML/ACM will collaborate with RECAA on a New Horizons project this coming Fall. Inspired by Anne and Susie’s YouTube video, the focus of the grant will be on the use of social networking and mobile media by RECAA elders. RECAA will use everyday mobile devices to document the history of ageing and activism in Montreal through the stories of elder-activists who have played foundational roles in initiating and maintaining a vibrant network of community-based organizations for seniors whose contributions to the life of the city have gone undocumented and are often overlooked.
Our collaboration with RECAA’s underscores the intersection between participatory theatre as method with the MML’s commitment to teaching digital literacy in a creative and participatory manner. Theoretically, working with RECAA offers insight on: the use of digital technologies by an activist organization of elders; the willingness and capacity of elders to learn new skills; and provides a deeper understanding of the question and existence of elder abuse in our society.
You can read more about our collaboration with RECAA in this report, prepared by Sophie Guérin.
