By Devi Ragesh
Is art important? What are the benefits of it? What difference does art make in one’s life? Is it anything more than to just occupy oneself? These are some frequently asked questions by many who are not either involved in art-related activities or maybe not aware that they are. Art is often not given the importance it should be in today’s society.
Even in aspects of career and occupation, younger population is constantly urged to take up professional courses such as engineering, medicine and so on. Art and professions related to art are always given less preference in our society. Regardless, this outlook is undergoing a positive transformation. With more of the population opting for courses in art and realising and acknowledging the importance of art, a new area of treatment and recovery was discovered, known as art therapy.
Twenty year old recollects how involving in a form of art helped her with stress, “I was experiencing anxiety and loneliness, when my friend suggested that I join something new to take my mind off things. I went and enrolled myself in painting classes and it instantly was an outlet for my emotions. It really helped me to focus and gave me a way out to vent. It also made me very happy to see my creative side and was a reminder to what I’m capable of doing.”
This is what an engineering student had to say about music, “music is like this space for me where I’m allowed to feel whatever I want to feel. Music as spontaneous and free flowing as it is, every note and tone is an expression of people’s experiences. What keeps me amazed with music is that regardless of where we are and what’s going on with our lives, it somehow in some way or the other is able to draw a line of similarity between completely different people. Any music for me is able to spark an amount of curiosity with what the artist was feeling then, and is always a source of comfort for me. That’s what brings me solace and relaxes me; the fact that we are all essentially the same though very different and not being alone in our emotions.”
It is not necessary that we should limit art to music, dance, painting and so on. An anime enthusiast talks, “Anime is where I find an extension of myself. The real world is limited. My imagination finds fulfilment in anime. It’s an escape from reality.”
Art has over the few years linked itself to psychotherapy in helping individuals to heal from difficult mental states. Guaging the level of scope of the therapeutic effects of art, it has now become a career option. Art is used as a tool to treat many psychological disorders and as a method to improve one’s mental health. Art therapy is usually combined with other methods of treatment too to treat kids and people with learning disabilities, severe stress, suffering brain injuries, post-traumatic stress and so on.
How does this work? Psychology Today on ‘Art Therapy: The Healing Arts’ describes, “Researchers have offered hypotheses as to how art therapy works. Putting a problem on paper can make it seem more external, rendering it easier to deal with. Producing something also gives people a sense of control and enhances self-esteem. Perhaps most important, creative expression gets emotions flowing and out in the open.”
Most common methods that are employed by therapists are in the form of four primary methods being music engagement, visual arts therapy, movement-based creative expression, and expressive writing. In these forms of expression, arts modalities and creative processes are used during intentional interventions to foster health.
Art being a form of therapy is no doubt considering the link humans had with art from time immemorial. All the study on history from pre-historic times is indebted to the art remains (cave paintings, engravings on stone tablets, pottery, utensils and so on) of the period. One does not have to be suffering from any mental distress to inculcate some form of art to one’s schedule. Unleashing your creative side increases your level of confidence. Studies and research even prove that being creative increases your life span, general well-being and makes you think in new and different ways. With this busy schedule that we follow, engaging in some form of art be it theatre, learning an instrument, writing or anything else will be a much needed break to let go of unwanted worries, thoughts and tension.
A literature student who has a passion for photography expressed, “it makes me have a space for downtime. It’s a form of escape. When I get into editing my photos or shooting, I’m completely free of negative thoughts. It’s a state of much needed relaxation.”
Twenty year old, who engages in craftwork shares her feelings, “Being a child, I didn’t have many friends and it used to be depressing at first to just sit around looking at others playing and enjoying. But then we started having arts and craft classes. So I started doing origami during breaks. No one would bother me and I was happy; happier with the output which I would take home and show my parents who always encouraged me. When I’m making something, that’s all I concentrate on. It takes my mind away from everything else that stresses me and weighs me down. And whenever I feel down or lonely, I make something or doodle or watch others create art and it makes me feel a lot better.”
This further stresses on the importance of including extra-curricular activities in schools and educational institutions. Children need a break from their studies to boost themselves. Allotting some time for such activities would only embellish their performance in academics too. From all the opinions people expressed about their association with art, it is evident that for many it is a form of release, to break free from their stressful monotonous routine and to relax.
So no matter what form of art they indulged in, the purpose was the same; to free themselves. It relieves them off their stress from studies or jobs and other issues whether personal or not. It provides them a platform and an outlet to vent out their emotions, feelings and frustration in many different ways and the outcome is anything but beautiful, be it in the form of paintings, or a performance, or even tears of sorrow or happiness.
A common misconception about art is that it is only meant for those with an inclination towards it. However, that is not the case. Many do not attempt a new form of art, thinking they’ll be miserable at it. The discomfort of doing something you are less accustomed to should not hold you back from attempting it. Try scribbling a poem, or a small drawing or even making something from scratch. It does not have to be a masterpiece or even adhere to any rules or expectations. The effects it could have on one are tremendous. One will be amazed at his or her capabilities and the refreshment it will bring for the mind and body.
