The Caretaker: Cartography of Affections in the Demented State

Abstract

Due to the increasing cases of Alzheimer's and Dementia in Brazil and worldwide, this research focused on the work of "The Caretaker," an artistic-musical project by Leyland James Kirby, in order to provide insights into the understanding of a demented state associated with memory and forgetfulness in Alzheimer's disease. "Everywhere at the End of Time" is a compilation divided into six albums, narratively referred to as stages, with approximately six and a half hours of duration. Research was conducted on the author, the composition of the work, and its reception in various contexts, along with immersing in the music, as prerequisites for mapping what was termed the demented state. Engaging with authors such as Deleuze and Guattari facilitated a deeper listening to the work, as well as the writing of this essay. There are no definitive conclusions, but rather openings for further research that explores the relationships between music, memory, and forgetfulness as clues to understanding demented experiences.