The Inaugural Artifact of “The Coming of Age” Exhibit
Upon entering the Wellcome Collection’s upcoming exhibition titled “The Coming of Age,” visitors will be greeted by an object symbolizing longevity and honor: a pure silver sake cup. This tradition was initiated in 1963 by the Japanese government, which bestowed these silver cups, known as sakazuki, on citizens reaching their 100th birthday. Initially, the tradition started with 153 recipients.
However, by 2009, the rising number of centenarians necessitated a reduction in the size of these sake cups to manage costs effectively. Not long after, the material was switched to a less costly nickel-silver alloy as the number of eligible recipients soared into the tens of thousands by the mid-2010s. Despite this change, the curator of the exhibition, Shamita Sharmacharja, humorously notes that receiving a nickel-silver cup is still more commendable than receiving “a letter from the king.”
Reflections on Age and Value in Society
The sake cups serve as a poignant reflection on societal attitudes towards aging and the elderly. The elderly are simultaneously revered and seen as vulnerable symbols of mortality. They are invaluable for their contributions, such as unpaid childcare, yet they also represent a significant financial burden on government resources like state pensions.
The irony of the situation is succinctly captured by Sharmacharja’s remark, “People want to live forever, but they don’t want to get old.” With current projections suggesting that a significant portion of children born in the UK today may live past 100, the exhibition opens at a time when societal anxieties about aging are more prominent than ever. These concerns range from adults in their twenties facing prolonged adolescence due to economic constraints, to the surge in cosmetic surgeries aimed at preserving youth.
Sharmacharja shared that the concept of the exhibition had been on her mind for a long time, and that it often elicited strong, typically somber reactions from those she discussed it with, highlighting the global trend of increased life expectancy.
Exploring Historical and Contemporary Perspectives on Aging
The exhibition features both historical and modern perspectives on aging. It includes Sebald Beham’s “The Fountain of Youth” from the German Renaissance, which depicts old individuals rejuvenated by a mythical elixir, juxtaposed against modern longevity products linked to the “Don’t Die” movement. There is also a contemplation of mortality through artifacts like Charles Darwin’s skull-tipped walking stick and Sam Taylor-Johnson’s 2001 film “Still Life,” which captures the decay of fruit over time.
Another aspect of the exhibit explores non-human perspectives on aging, such as Maija Tammi’s photographic study of hydra, regenerative freshwater organisms that do not age. This piece prompts philosophical questions about the meaning of time in the absence of aging.
Sharmacharja also reflects on how the pandemic sharply highlighted the ways society discusses and values age, particularly older age, emphasizing the stark inequalities that begin at birth and only broaden with time.
Challenging Stereotypes and Exploring New Perspectives
The exhibition includes a section titled “Acting Your Age?” featuring portraits of teenagers from one of the world’s largest adolescence studies in West Yorkshire. This is part of the Born in Bradford research initiative, funded by the Wellcome Trust, which examines the health trajectories of families from birth.
Additionally, artist Serena Korda presents sculptures and soundtracks that challenge traditional narratives about older women through a feminist reinterpretation of the folkloric figure of the crone. Her work seeks to recapture the wisdom and power historically associated with older women, which has been obscured by centuries of patriarchal storytelling.
In a personal reflection on the gender health gap and the invisibility of women’s health issues like perimenopause, Korda uses her art to spotlight older women’s bodies, emphasizing their experiences and resilience, as evident in the physical markings of surgeries and life challenges.
The exhibition culminates with a section on “Connection and Care,” featuring Rory Pilgrim’s “Software Garden,” a music video that explores the role of technology in fostering empathy, and Suzanne Lacy’s “Uncertain Futures,” a project that addresses the challenges faced by women over 50 and seeks to empower them through collective action.
Sharmacharja hopes that the exhibition will inspire visitors across generations to recognize the environmental, rather than genetic, factors that influence aging, and to feel empowered to effect societal change.
The Coming of Age is on display at the Wellcome Collection in London from March 26 to November 29.
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Fatima Clarke is a seasoned health reporter who bridges medical science with human stories. She writes with compassion, precision, and a drive to inform.
