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Art, Architecture, Expression and Therapy

Architecture as a sensorial platform for Art Therapy

Project Outline:

“Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life”

- Pablo Picasso

Art, an expression or application of human creative skill and imagination.

Being an expression of the human behaviour, expressive art or painting is a
medium to communicate emotions and thoughts that make a world of its own.
Art is not just for the artist; neither is art just for the talented. Any human can
engage himself artistically and use his imagination or creativity that will help
regulate himself better.

Art Therapy encourages an expression of the inner felt experience. It has

a strong effect on a person's physical, mental and emotional well-being.

Expressive Art therapy is the use of creative arts as a form of therapy and
is a field that has proven to work wonders in many people’s lives. It can help
someone express himself or herself, explore their emotions, manage
addictions, and improve their self-esteem. It could help children with
developmental disabilities.

While many other forms of therapy depend on verbal language to

express feelings and overcome personal obstacles, art therapy allows for other,
more abstract forms of communication. This accelerates the freedom of
expression.

The power to create is very closely linked to the power to destroy.

According to science, the part of the brain that registers a traumatic wound
can be the part of the brain where healing happens too. Art therapy helps
bridge that connection.

Art, Architecture, Expression and Therapy Harshini. M

Architecture as a platform for Art Therapy (2013701040)
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AIM
To create awareness that art is a medium to let go. To emphasise the
expressiveness of art rather than art as a representation.
A barrier free environment designed to focus on positive emotion,
personal control and sense of meaning.
Understanding the state of emotion, that art would help achieve.

APPROACH
Architecture as a medium to encourage expressive art to replenish one’s
self. Allowing the users to sensorially indulge in the play of colours.
Architecture as a sensorial and Expressive medium
A study of the phenomenological approach to how one experiences
space and by integrating design criteria that are acknowledged for improving
wellbeing, quality of life, and reducing distress in people, a healing
environment will emerge.

PROGRAM
The space will incorporate programs classified based on the intensity of
stress amongst the various strata of public.

Replenish - Art therapy as a mental deviation by means of recreation, as a

break from the unpleasant or monotonous aspects of daily life.

Collaborate - Space to exhibit these art works and a place where budding
artists in and around the city can come in for a collaboration. Community
learning of art. And a platform to exhibit the budding talents.

De stigmatize - Art therapy takes a psychological approach by looking at the

effectiveness of art to promote healing but also psychological and therapeutic
aspects

SITE
Chennai, being a metropolitan city has a cross section of population
most of whom are consciously or sub consciously indulged in the practice of
art, one way or the other. The advantage of its location in terms of its ability to
spread awareness through existing social groups and the rich art background
that is intertwined with the people.

Art, Architecture, Expression and Therapy Harshini. M

Architecture as a platform for Art Therapy (2013701040)
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REFERENCES

The American Art Therapy Association

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/de-stress/Everything-you-want-to-
know-about-art-therapy/articleshow/49086653.cms

THE SCIENCE OF... S1 • E5

How Does Art Therapy Heal the Soul? | The Science of Happiness
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BN2rTaFUlxs

https://www.ted.com/talks/melissa_walker_art_can_heal_ptsd_s_invisible_wounds#t-469968

readings
Clinical Applications of Projective Drawings - Emanuel Hammer
Art therapy – its scope and functions

Art, Architecture, Expression and Therapy Harshini. M

Architecture as a platform for Art Therapy (2013701040)