Medicine

You will apply the concepts from this section to create artwork. You will reflect on the process, and the result to examine the art process as therapy versus art as psychotherapy.

This section examines the link between mind and body. In your reflection, reference the materials from this section and from the section on The Story of Medicine to explore theories of health that emphasize or de-emphasize the link between body and mind. You will write three reflections which draw from your readings in this section. You will also produce artwork.

Set aside time for creating your artwork (60 – 90 minutes). Carefully pick what materials you will use for creating your artwork. Time invested in creating artwork should be time with no other distractions (turn off your phone, try to find time alone, etc.). Do not focus on what you want to make, or what the end result will look like. Instead set aside time to work and focus on beginning. After beginning focus on exploring. If you make a mistake, leave it in the work and try to incorporate it later. If you feel the work has gone off course, rotate your materials and start again in a new corner.

The experience of art is not universal. Art and art-making are an emotional response, visual illustration of observations, and coded analysis of experience and of society from a personal perspective. You have read how the interpretation of artwork, the process of creating art, and art as a non-verbal communication technique are all used in art therapy. Use these theories as the core elements of your reflection. Your reflection essay should clarify how you approached the project, felt about the work during and after, and what you discovered by analyzing or exploring what you saw in the artwork after it was made. In your reflection explore the concept of art as therapy versus art as psychotherapy. Include specific references to readings from this section.

Your reflection essay should be 2 – 3 pages in length. Your artwork can be in any fixed medium. Upload an image or video of the artwork.

Assignment Requirements:

Artwork shows time spent and intention in creation; the process of creation was honored and time was set aside to create the artwork.
Reflection includes references to readings in this section and The Story of Medicine; connecting body and mind link with historical approaches to health and healing.
Reflection explores fundamental principles of art in healing; art therapy or art as therapy.