PHOTOS BY ALEX KORNHUBER
WEAVING WISDOM IN THE ANDES Documentary explores the relationship between an ancient craft and brain health BY ROWENA RICHIE EDITOR’S NOTE: Weaving in the Andes is a kind of dance. From the finger choreography of belt weaving, to the sophisticated mechanics of building a loom, textile tradi- tions express the importance of the villagers’ culture while exercising their creativity and concentration. Weaving is a full-bodied experience. It is a community choreography that capitalizes on strong bonds between generations and connections with nature. In this article, (first published in Global Brain Health Perspectives), I discuss a video documentary I co-cre- ated about weaving in Andean villages. I explore the links between this ancient practice and brain health, and dis- cuss the way weaving in the Peruvian mountains is at risk of dying out. The forces of poverty and modernization have been pushing the next generation of weavers into cit- ies. Just as the grind of eking out a living and the cost of living in the Bay Area has been pushing dancers out. My interest in weaving is an extension of my work in the creative aging arena. I’m a senior fellow at the Global Brain Health Institute, a movement and self-expression facilitator for older people and people living with demen- tia, and a co-producer of Artists & Elders. A common thread in my work is curiosity about how the arts can support wellbeing across lifecourse.
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In Dance | May 2014 | dancersgroup.org
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