Wrinkles

This jubilant celebration of aging builds an artful bridge between young and old. JR, the pseudonymous French artist and activist, has pared down his global “Wrinkles of the City” project to appeal to children, syncing his photographs with age-appropriate prose from project collaborator Pugeat. The creators deftly embrace wide-eyed curiosity and imagination: JR’s striking close-up, black-and-white portraits against vivid orange backgrounds reveal sprightly, relaxed elders exuding youthful vigor. Pugeat explains old age simply and sincerely: Wrinkles are “like soft stripes/ in our skin;” they tell “of laughter,/ And togetherness;/ Of play,/ And calm;/ Of secrets,/ And wisdom.” Back matter gives further information about the artist and project, and provides a brief introduction to each of the individuals featured, all residents of the six cities in JR’s initial project: Berlin, Cartagena, Havana, Istanbul, Los Angeles, and Shanghai. An ending question narrows the global scope back home to the reader: “Whose wrinkles do you see?/ What can they tell you?” This resonant recognition of aging is sure to start important conversations. Ages 2–6. [em](Sept.) [/em]