Aging with Grace: An Overview of ‘Iris’
In the realm of fiction, the struggles of aging are often depicted through a lens of despair and negativity. However, in his graphic novel ‘Iris’, Swiss artist and author Fabian Menor approaches this sensitive theme with an optimistic and nuanced perspective. The story revolves around Iris, an octogenarian painter known for her elegant straight lines and bold colors. As she prepares for a retrospective exhibition, her artistic precision is abruptly challenged by an age-related condition known as macular degeneration (DMLA). This diagnosis forces Iris to confront the reality of aging, independence, and creativity.
From Independence to a New Beginning
Once celebrated in the art community for her minimalist aesthetics, Iris finds herself unable to produce the clean lines she’s known for. Instead, her canvases are filled with shapes and blurs that reflect her struggle with her deteriorating eyesight. As a result, Iris is obliged to leave her home and move to a “retirement home” (referred to with a hint of irony as le Foyer des Chênes). This transition is not just a physical relocation but an emotional upheaval.
Rebelling Against Reality
Menor skillfully captures Iris as a character who is both cantankerous and fiercely independent. “It’s intriguing to create a character who is a bit cantankerous and rebellious, yet must confront her new reality,” Menor explains. In artistic circles, the mindset often maintains a youthfulness, making it challenging for individuals like Iris to accept the changes that come with age. Yet this story allows Iris to rediscover herself, and her creativity, even in a new environment.
A Bright and Colorful Transition
Contrary to what the term “foyer” might suggest—often associated with dullness and monotony—Iris finds her new home filled with vibrancy and warmth. Her arrival at the retirement home leads her to forge friendships and connections, including an unexpected bond with Loïse, an art student who advocates for an art studio to be set up for Iris. “This center is quite special because it is designed with contrasting colors, making it rather joyful,” Menor reveals, emphasizing how the colorful environment serves as an inspiration for his work.
Visualizing the Unseen
Central to ‘Iris’ is the exploration of perception—what we see, what we think we see, and what emerges when our vision changes. As straight lines fade from Iris’s perspective, she begins to experience vivid hallucinations, including haunting images of horse carcasses. Menor alters his artistic style to reflect this shift, moving from clear lines to more tempestuous, blurred strokes, which convey Iris’s internal turmoil. This artistic transition serves to heighten the emotional impact of her journey.
The Reality of Hallucinations
Menor emphasizes that Iris’s experiences are not merely fictional; they mirror real phenomena faced by individuals suffering from DMLA. The graphic novel encourages readers to confront the daunting questions of what happens when a disability alters one’s perception of reality. Iris’s evolving artistry reminds us that creativity is not bound by age or circumstance.
Redefining Creativity at Any Age
Through ‘Iris’, Menor invites a broader dialogue about aging and creativity. He challenges the notion that artistic expression expires with age, asserting instead that reinvention is always possible. In a world that often devalues the contributions of older generations, ‘Iris’ stands as a testament to resilience and the enduring spirit of creativity.
