What is essentially common to old age and other forms of “extravagance” that the project Extravagant Bodies takes as its theme is the challenge they pose in terms of (re)production. Persons with disabilities, those who suffer from mental or psychological disturbances, homosexual and queer persons and so on are persons who threaten the easy flow of productive work, work that produces surplus value, the reproduction of the future labour force. Such persons are perceived by society as useless, or insufficiently useful/productive, and by this mere fact a burden on society. Old age embodies this offence, and the actual border of the third age is mostly identified with retirement, i.e. the cessation of active, productive work. The body and mind weaken, the capacity to reproduce is halted, and a “person of the third or fourth age” of life is perceived as a social burden.
Extravagant Bodies: Extravagant Age identifies the issue of old age as that which makes visible the premises on which contemporary society is founded, at the same time opening up the possibility of their critique. To a society of hyperproduction obsessed with competition and profit, age opposes slowness, minimal production and consumption, the possibility of analysis and reflection. It juxtaposes to the young, energetic and constantly beautified and rejuvenated body the body that is deviating ever more from the ideals of health and beauty but that can nevertheless still be a source of pleasure and satisfaction.
These are just some of the points of departure of the festival that presents works of art, performances, films, lectures, workshops, new productions, and texts that adopt an investigative and critical view of these issues, taking into consideration the ramifications of the sub-themes and implications that subtend the issue of old age, from the economy, health, leisure, love, sex and death.
