Thanks for the warning to plan, plan, plan for retirement!

Thank you. I had no idea if nursing homes and assisted living until a double whammy hit – a stroke of my mom and dementia of my dad. Awareness and kindness toward the elderly are certainly important! Grazie!

The walker is in the know!

Looking at this made me think about my parents and how I will care for them as they age

Becca – This is wonderful

This is painful and sweet. It brings back memories of my grandmother and her last years in a nursing home for Alzheimer’s patients.

My future – if I’m so lucky

I just went through this with both of my parents. For all the planning they did, it was a pathetic ending.

There’s a lot to be said for putting Grandma out in the snow.

Reminds me of my dead mother!

I am drawn to how our “stuff” conjures up dread and pain and fear… while it is JUST stuff

Hey Pers Retirement!

Thank you – on behalf of my father who lived 2 yrs in a nursing home, mute and stiff. And my mom at 89, who is frail, but vibrant and still using her “stuff!”

This is beautiful! It’s a reminder that as we grow deeper into life, we do not have to go there alone. Life is full of choices. This resident is well-loved and loves well. Thank you for this sweet art.

Amazingly evocative and intimate. I felt a connection to a fictional character. Fantastic detail!

Is this supposed to be “art”?

              Open your mind

               Yes, it’s great art. Art says something about us (people) it is a story! I think it is a great   

                exhibit Thank you for the connection and the reminder!

Makes one stop and think what we want for ourselves and our loved ones and those of us that make up our society. Thank you.

I am amazed at how many people are reacting to this and talking about it. Not surprised, just glad.

This exhibit brings my Grandmother to mind. We spent about three years coming to the realization that she could no longer live an independent life. She’s now in assisted living, adapting well, but with strangers all day. Senior care is extremely demanding and the people that work in these facilities should be commended. Grams thinks she is living independently, driving, shopping, etc. At least she is now safe and active. It’s all very difficult.

Very realistic to one who has lost loved ones to cancer. They don’t let you die in the hospital any more from that. It’s either long-term or home, and only if a family member has the money and time

I too worked in a nursing home at one point, and this is very representative of what a majority of people experience at the end of their life - . It caused a catch in my throat and a mist in my eyes, as I realize I’m looking at my future “last room” too – Very powerful. Thanks.

This makes me cry! There is so much life in this little space. But the tears come because the person is not there. When they die and the room is replaced with a new “patient.” It is disturbing.

At first look it brings back tears of my lost loved ones and their last room, last days, while standing here, Chaplain Josie (below) said “Where’s the Bible?” I looked and sure enough – no Bible. She said you forgot the main thing – the most important thing in our last days, last room. Thanks for this display – we all are facing our last days some day. Oh, Chaplain Josie says to please call her if you want to. God Bless, Sydney H. P.S. I totally agree with Josie.

Great work – Totally realistic. Sad but true – Thank you

I can’t help being reminded of Edward Keinholt’s mental institution inmate with a goldfish bowl face. In that all life was drained away but that small floating gold one. In this there is evidence of life, but the body is gone and I wonder if the patient died. Then this is like the after-image of a life gone that will soon disappear itself.

2-1-08 – A new month in our new year. The first few days of your display disturbed me so much I just couldn’t look at it. I’m now finding myself “sneaking peeks” every time I walk by. The details are incredible! I put my Mother in a home last year (she has dementia) and it was the most difficult thing I’ve ever had to do. She’s like a caged bird whose wings have been clipped. There’ll be no more flying in her world. Is it better to go out “physically” or “mentally” – I wonder. Mom’s room doesn’t look like this at all. She won’t sit in her chair and rarely sleeps in her bed. She turned her family pictures face down on the bureau. She’s “connected” enough to be totally bored where she’s at. She’s in Iowa. I’m here – her only child. All she wants is to live with her sister  (in Iowa) in the house they grew up in. It’s a shame our society has evolved into one that has no real “place” for our elders. We put them in “homes” because we have to work. While your room has obvious signs of life – even if it’s a limited life – I’d prefer to die suddenly and never wind up living in one room for years – just waiting for the grim reaper. Don’t fret about the missing Bible. Not all of God’s children are Christians. Faith in God is all you really need – no matter what his name is. Carol B.

If your intent was to show it as it is (was), then you have mastered it!! But. To those of us who have had to live thru it, it is most sad and disturbing. Does not reflect hope. You did get it, perhaps that is why we can’t ignore it!

Life is so real?

Beautiful work, Becca – Mary F. 2-4-08

Hey Becca, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I think it’s really good. I felt like I was intruding into someone’s privacy. It is sad to look at – the photo of the farm – but there is humor too. Heh, the printing error on the calendar. Very realistic. Thanks. Kirsten 2/4/08

From an this 83 yo woman’s view point it is positive, a comfortable bed, slippers and robe, books to read, puzzles, treats, a fan, a balloon other interesting diversions left over food. Making the most of time left to live. AW 2/5/05

The Bible. Yes. Thanks.

               Not everyone considers it a good book or important

Very good! You say a lot! M. T. 2-5-08

This is so true/real life – “Charles B.”

Very insightful….

Thanks

I don’t see this as necessarily sad (or happy). It most likely reflects our emotional state re aging. There’s no reason to think AJ won’t be back any minute, full of stories, etc. Like any great piece of art, this is stimulating, strong emotive and viewpoints. Good stuff!

I hate this! It brings to mind too many memories of my loved ones that suffered so much! I don’t think it is appropriate!

From the tomb of the womb to the womb of the tomb… This is what you can look forward to in between. Reminds me of that old street rhyme “bitches and snitches get walkers and stitches” – Word!

Read all the inters???

This was my Mom’s Room! Very accurate.

Art imitating life. This depiction does not make me sad or dreadful or anything, contrary to what some other have written here. It’s unfortunate that segments of society see this scene as an inevitable consequence of aging. Sad

Life with no filter… interpretation is not needed.

This is great… worse than death itself?

              What’s so bad about death?

You know what – if we weren’t so all consumed with having a lot of “stuff” we’d notice that all we need is here.

People w/o homes/rooms or families living in a room this size in a poor world would be grateful for this.

Life is real Real is Life! What? What?

Live Life!

What? Do you think?

This has nothing to do with anything other than living. It is a great statement and representation of that: living Bob

As someone with elderly grandparents, this is something I think of from time to time – not so much for them but for my parents in 20 or so years. I really appreciate the great detail of this exhibit – the “Tread Sweat” video, the Beanie Babies, the hot water bottle, the “Resident of the Month” sheet! Also… it’s great to see the work of a Lewis and Clark alum out in the community! Thanks! – Stephanie B. Lewis and Clark Class of 2008, Editor-in-Chief The Pioneer Log student newspaper of Lewis and Clark

The toast is a nice touch.

I’m glad that you did not include the stench of the elder mistreatment

I have friends who work with the elderly in a Care Center. It’s so sad the majority of these residents get few or no visits from the family members they cared for, nurtured and raised. Are we the only nation that “throws away” our seniors?? Thanks for the caring reminder –

Yes the toast is a good touch!

Happy Valentine’s Day for all senior citizens of the world! I love you soo much my grandma would love to see her book of life before me, Where would I be? With out grandparents to save me! Marcie Marie I.

Yes the elderly in this country is disposable (like most other things) how SAD. We should care about our destiny before we all get there, but to create this… it’s a little too much. I would call people’s attention in a very different way. This creates anger, frustration and bad memories.. it’s very depressing. Sorry.

Wow! It reminded us of many places where we have been. Third grade classroom at Fernwood/Hollyrood Elem.

Where is the TV?

Very realistic and moving…. So realistic. I get a twinge of guilty voyeurism everytime I walk by

I think the orange is rotting. It smells quite bad.

Yo. The room smells?

Have u been in a rest home? They all smell!

Absolutely spot ON! I work with the elderly and you’ve caught this with grace and compassion. Appreciate the subtle details. (Makes me want to water the plants and visit “her”) Thanks. Beautiful. SVS, w/ Oregon Women’s Caucus for Art

I like the “room 78” notice and 100-yr invitation and dresser…

Becca, As always, you blow us out with your insightful, thoughtful work! We are blessed you are part of our family! R&B

Becca! Awesome. Can’t look at it w/o thinking that I need to enjoy my life every day of it. Thanks, M.L.

A sad look at how we treat our elderly folks. I hope I never end up in a room like this. I’m 52 and have many ailments already. Sad, sad, sad. One who is hopeful of a better future than this.

Ya even the smell is real “sad”

Well done! It feels like they’ll be back any minute!

Scary. My possible future. All of our possible futures. A grasp at hope and life in a society removed from its own humanity.

Andy you get paid to do this? What a joke!

Very Good! Stay connected to the family… or else

There, even WITH fortune, go we all… see the Gottlieb Gallery Show. It’s poignant too but more hopeful.

Bravo to you. Your piece is quite evocative. I was very moved – sad, frustrated and had a sense of indignation at this person being condescended to. On the other hand, I also wanted the person to be responsible to make their own life more productive and interesting. I used to be a medic on an ambulance and visited many rooms nearly identical to your depiction. Your eye for detail and subtlety is quite rare. Keep up the good work please –

Some folks will make it this way. But I believe it doesn’t have to be. The only thing missing is your son or daughter or family that’s by our bedside. Only at home can this be peaceful.

Becca – Wow, did you get this right! Wanted to sob at the truth of it. Good luck in your future – Kinsey

You’re as eloquent a writer as you are a visual artist! Thank you – Mary F.

This “Society” has a lot of Karma!!!

Thanks – T. H.

This is also a reminder to me for when I am older – to keep things and my home simple… Maybe have just a table with a single rose. To keep beauty in my life. Thank you! Margaret T.

A table with a single. A touch of beauty!

This is an educational and thought-provoking installation.

Thank you. Very thoughtful, current, narrative dialogue

It hit home. Watching a loved one in their final days. Terry

This exhibit depresses me a lot. But I really appreciate the opportunity to feel that appreciation for my suffering related to it.

A room like this usually has a funky smell and a lot of dead skin.