Graffiti Grandmas

Graffiti Grandmas / LATA 65 started in 2012, from the spontaneous observation, at each new intervention performed by WOOL, of the simplicity and naturalness with which Urban Art reached the various age groups, particularly the ‘elder residents’ of our performance areas. Especially in Covilhã, those 'locals' became our companions and spectators of all hours. Every day we witnessed the daily and nightly pilgrimages of the elderly people, who left their homes, not to go to Mass or a usual cards game, but to follow all details of the painting performances. We heard (here and at other locations) a thousand stories about what might be emerging on the walls and it moved us hearing things like 'my city regained its colours.' Therefore LATA 65 | urban art workshop for seniors emerged as a challenge, to take this interest shown by Urban Art beyond, with precise intentions: to bring the less young closer to a form of artistic expression usually associated with younger ones; to prove that concepts such as ACTIVE AGEING and intergenerational solidarity make more sense every day; to demonstrate that Urban Art has the POWER TO FOMENT, TO PROMOTE AND TO VALUE the DEMOCRATIZATION OF the ACCESS to the Contemporary ART; to demonstrate that age is just a number. After the first workshop and all other following actions, we (still) can confirm that: it is possible and DESIRABLE to AWAKEN, MOTIVATE and EXCITE the elderly through Urban Art; it is desirable to present to these generations NEW ACTIVITIES, NEW TECHNIQUES associated with youth, as a way to escape and to break routines, GENERATING QUALITY, JOVIALITY and WELL-BEING in their lives. LATA 65 it is presented as a workshop taught in totally relaxed working environments, ideal for learning a variety of intervention techniques used in the streets and working directly with some of the best urban artists today.