“Western” society has a tendency to hide the aging/aged, to put them out to pasture, into retirement, out of active society. The “sage” or wise person was heralded in so-called “primitive” societies as the Oracle – the font of wisdom and cultural history. In the flamenco world, this is no different – the form is dynamic- ever changing. The young re-invent it – and the old mourn the end of what flamenco once was. In the process of creating this piece, I have investigated the impact of aging on a dancing body using traditional flamenco form and language, juxtaposing it against modern influences. I have also interrogated the power that aging may or may not hold, the freedom it may offer and on the other hand, the fears (or otherwise) that come with mortality.

One woman is portrayed in two phases of her life – her early twenties and her late sixties. Each “part” of her experiences the “other” , either looking forward, or recalling and reminiscing, experiencing the fears that accompany both phases of life and letting go of making peace with/overcoming these.