A study in Scarlet: Some words on Art Heals (Visualization)

Art Heals in Respect to Art and

Sustainable Social Change (Visualization)

In a thesis that tries to assess the role and effects on art in the realm of sustainability and social change, it might be a logical step to first define art itself. Yet as innocuous as this attempt may seem, we could say that art is a concept that is at least as contested as sustainability itself. its definition changing in account of who is describing it and what for; therefore we might benefit of using as a reference point the definition provided by Shaun McNiff author of Art heals and a leading figure in the academic field of art therapy, simply put he states art is “a way of looking at life, present in everything we do”, this definition seems to reference more the process and not the creative outcomes that are most often what art is reduced to, the more we explore art under this lens we realize it is not unlike the intuitive process described by Goethe when looking at a phenomenon holistically. 

According to Nietzche “art approaches as a saving sorceress, expert at healing. She alone knows how to turn these nauseous thoughts about the horror or absufdity of existence into notions which one can live." (Nietzche, page 4) In a shell this is the view of art this thesis will concern itself with, it will focus on the reflexive, intuitive, dialogue-like, creative process that usually precedes the creation of any material form of artistic expression. In the view that this process is present in art but can be invited into any other activity as a way to infuse healing and creativity in the process we find that the figure of art is elusive, with boundaries as stretch or wide as one´s understanding of it; therefore Art (understood as the artistic process) is represented here in the core of the visualization by the mythical symbol of the shape-shifter.

On the top-left corner we face again some concepts that will help us understand what art is in the context of creating social change, as previously mentioned it is considered a way of seeing, a path to understanding that is revealed when we realize that we are always in dialogue with the world; a notion that happens in a middle realm where our inner and outer world interact. born out of the present moment, it can only develop when we embrace all that is happening now. This creative transformation is a result of the use of active imagination, combined with the wisdom to trust that the wounded spirit possesses within itself the ability to heal the wound inflicted.

The capacity for art to create outcomes of great beauty needs no further evidence, however a point of controversy are those artistic expressions that, expressing the darkness within the wounded soul, move the observer to a state of discomfort rather than inspiration. These so called “demons” of art, which in this visualization are represented by the archaic symbol of the fierce dragon, are guises of fear and resistance that signal a place where we are out of harmony with ourselves, or our environment. The higher the fear and resistance is the bigger the vein of creativity that lies behind them; the challenge is to embrace ghoul-like voices of this pain, shame, fear, etc. long enough for them to “soften our soul” enough that in a moment of crisis –which can be induced by the artistic process- allows the individual to find creative expression for said feelings, which then transforms then into feelings of satisfaction and relief, into a life-affirming creation that has been infused with a new vision.

This takes us to the bottom-right corner of our visualization, where we analyse in more depth the moment of change imbedded within the artistic process, this is represented by the snake; a symbol of power, danger, knowledge and healing, and from within my own historic heritage the wings -presented here as a symbol for art´s capacity for rendering freedom from our held perspectives, hope of change and an allusion to the spiritual nature of art that enhances the healing- combine with the snake to imitate the Aztec god Quetzalcoalt, the giver of life. The artistic process gives the individual a new venue to deal with its pain, allowing for the existence of thought that needs not make use of language; it brings it focus back to the senses allowing the participants to release events and notions past, removing htem from their social conceptiosn and self-image, and giving back to society an object of creation in a spirit of reciprocity that instills new practices in the individual. However, the specifics of the outcome cannot be known and therefore we must trust and focus on the process itself. This will trigger our imagination that will then from possibility manifest a new actuality.

This actuality is here represented by the Fae, the symbolic representation of the spirit, wisdom, life and gifts of nature in a humanoid form. Very much like the ivy that stands encompasses this section, the different elements of the artistic process are all bound together in no particular linear order yet building on each other with a degree of complexity that requires personal experience and engagement to achieve a true understanding of it. We have elements such as the dwelling in the phenomenon, the presence of groups, which nurture both the healing and the creative process due to the collective dynamics they offer, the safe space necessary for the vulnerability phases to blossom, as well as the trust needed  in the space, the process and the group. Through this process emerges a new perspective, feelings of gratitude and joy for the existence of the modes of expression, the healing and understanding achieved through contemplative meditation, acknowledging the otherness of the expression; and the subsequent efforts to make the environment more welcoming to these forms of expression.