The Seven Stages of Intoxication

This tape functions on two levels. Montano addresses menopause and acts out her worst nightmares around that issue—playing the out-of-control, alcoholic crone. By doing this publicly on tape, she felt that she could look at, share and make friends with, her concerns with aging. The experience of viewing this video moves from an autobiographical look at Montano’s process to an interactive game for the viewer.

"Menopause was a challenging rite of passage for me. Never having had children, I had to mourn my barrenness. Never having given infinite amounts of time and attention to my body, I had to begin doing that as I aged. Never having appreciated my toned thighs and butt, I had to learn how to get along with cellulite and gravity-pulled flesh as I aged. Never having physical ailments, I had to figure out why I had a stroke at 47 years old." —Linda Montano