Stage Door News
Stage Door News
Coach House Books will soon publish Artistic & Research Director Darren O'Donnell's new book. Haircuts by Children and Other Evidence for a New Social Contract examines the role of children and young people and proposes their radical inclusion in all matters affecting them. Which is pretty much everything. Haircuts by Children is a practical proposal for the inclusion of children in as many realms as possible, not only as an expression of their rights, but as a way to intervene in the world and to disrupt the stark economic inequalities perpetuated by same old same old. Deeply practical and wildly whimsical, Haircuts by Children might actually make total sense. Stay tuned for release dates on our Facebook page.
“Haircuts by Children is a whimsical relational performance that playfully engages with the enfranchisement of children, with trust in the younger generation, and the thrills and chills of vanity. Haircuts By Children involves children between the ages of 8-12 are trained by professional hairstylists, and then paid to run a real hair salon, offering members of the public free haircuts. The project invites the consideration of young people as creative and competent individuals whose aesthetic choices can be trusted. While providing atypical entertainment for the public, Haircuts by Children also shifts the traditional power dynamic between children and adults, creating a safe social space where children and adults who live in the same community can meet and share a unique creative experience together. The idea that kids should be allowed to cut our hair evokes the same leap of faith, courage and understanding required to grant children deeper citizenship rights. For many it is actually less terrifying to contemplate allowing kids to vote.
“While Haircuts by Children is a performance with kids, it's actually for the benefit of who they will become; for the adults who have to deal with the consequences of eighteen years of political disenfranchisement. Haircuts by Children: a performance about the future. "In the future, every child will be given a pair of scissors and invited to shape our destinies. In the future, every child will be granted full citizenship rights; encouraged to vote, run for office and drive streetcars. In the future, children will teach and adults will learn; a playground will be built on every battlefield; and candy will be free. In the future, children will be powerful creatures able to cross the street without looking both ways, and hold their breath underwater forever and ever and ever.”
-Artistic Director, Darren O'Donnell
Elsewhere:
Haircuts by Children in Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo was the 36th city to see Haircuts - but the first in all of Asia. The performance of Haircuts on February 26th coincided with our inclusion in the Socially Engaged Art exhibition, a combination of international and Japanese artists working in the field. Presented by Art & Society Research Centre, this edition was led by Jenna Winter, produced by Eva Verity and featured a talk by Darren O'Donnell. Supported by the Ontario Arts Council.
Haircuts by Children in Melbourne, Australia
Two schools, two salons, two weekends, hundreds of fun and fantastic new do's. The trendy and talented hairstylists from Razor Dolls and Fur Hairdressing trained kids to cut hair in October, and boy, did they ever. Led by Eva Verity and Alice Fleming. Big thanks to Melbourne Festival and Melbourne Arts Centre for hosting and presenting us. With support from the Canada Council for the Arts.
Photo by John Lauener.
2017-02-27
Toronto: Coach House Books will soon publish "Haircuts by Children"by Darren O'Donnell