Post 4: Entelechy: Arts and Elders

image: Roswither Chester

Entelechy

the supposed vital principle that guides the development and functioning of an organism or other system or organization.

Meet Me at the Albany are Tuesdays of artist-lead activities attended by up to 35 elders from the borough around The Albany.  And lunch, and cups of tea. Someone used to play the piano every week, they want him back. T. still breaks into song without him anyway. F. used to run London's premier comedy club. I see his sharp teeth bite and his eyes gleam,  or is that his teeth gleam and his eyes spiral, when he gets the opportunity. And a softer but still sharp side when he brings his grandchildren.  

But this is not a meeting-place for people who used to do something. This is not a 'reminiscence project', nor is it about the hierarchy of what 'service providers' can provide. The elders say they need to be here. Being present helps constitute a Present, a for-now, me-now, amongst others. Some of these others, specifically, are artists. And many many volunteers, both very young and some also old. The artists, specifically, are people who spend their working lives paying attention to something [crafts, stories] being made. 

My own experience in the health system, as patient, therapist, artist and teacher, is that the relational aspect of responsive care is quite apart from any process of ‘justification’. Nor is it just ‘intuitive’, but something which can be trained. But which needs practice. Everyone is learning from each other here.

I perceive an intrinsic respect for this perspective, embedded in the dialogues.



c. Z Soboslay 2015.