When I was doing my masters study, there was a course being offered in Art Therapy that I wanted to do but it kept getting cancelled. So I did some independent research on art as a method to deal with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) as I had been dismissive of it as a therapeutic tool and wanted to investigate further. Its seems though that art does assist some people and I think this must be in line with artists for whom art is cathartic.
I like the idea of artists creating for no one but themselves, because something needs got out or purged. In fact, in my few endeavours in art this has been my motivation – a total compulsion for an image/idea/thought/concept/feeling to take on a physical body.
I have been personally deeply disturbed this week by the stories about Tony Vietch. Of course there is no tie in with art (that I know of) but it reminded me of art that expresses violence and of art as a reaction to it. On the ‘net you will find various art programmes and exhibitions showing art therapy as a way through violence. A reasonable essay on Art and Violence (with pics) can be found here (.pdf)
And, as usual, someone else has said some of what I want to say here in an article by Agricola de Cologne.
“Artists are said to be the consciousness of a nation or society as they reflect the actual state of the psychological and physical environment. When this state is penetrated by violence, nobody is surprised that violence becomes a universal subject for artistic reflection. Art and violence both seem to stem from the abstract: that place beyond logic, the realm of the emotion. … Is violence a tool, a process or a result? When are artistic portrayals of violence justifiable? As intellectual exercise, ritual, or spiritual enhancement? For other purposes? Or are they never justifiable? Is violence in art an action, reaction, or reflection? “
I was thinking about how to illustrate this post and recalled Tracey Moffat’s work. A lot of what I’ve seen has implicit and explicit depictions of “everyday violence” with a rather sinister undercurrent. “Scarred for Life” is what I am meaning.
Up in the Sky #1(1998) – Tracey Moffat
July 12, 2008 at 9:12 am |
I’m all for art as catharsis but it isn’t necessarily exhibition or printable standard iykwim. But it can lay foundations for best, more refined work. That sounds a bit w@nky but ykwim?
July 12, 2008 at 9:15 am |
Totally agree – I wonder if this was the problem that Dave felt about the Rita exhibit http://pointlessandabsurd.blogspot.com/2008/07/telling-it-like-it-is.html.
I remember you talking about the importance of “self-editing” once
July 13, 2008 at 12:52 am |
I don’t know, bleed it out, people love the stuff i don’t so much and i get a feel for what i want to release into the wild and what to leave caged at home. This link is also for the Choose Life post…
http://www.greenplastic.com/lyrics/fitterhappier.php
I have one of these daily mental head wrestles I will put on me blog for you. Musically i liken it to flamenco.
July 13, 2008 at 12:58 am |
Those lyrics are disturbingly real….Will now head over to Love is a Symbol
July 13, 2008 at 9:07 pm |
Whitecliff Art School in Auckland offer a post-grad masters in art therapy – I sent away for the stuff about it a coupla years ago – + you can major in writing! but to study it extramurally, you had to go to something crazy like 15 compulsory contact courses in Auckland over three years….the logistics of that with small kids and not much money put me off.
x Helen