Page 16 - journal-6-3-Full

Ú˜ «“√ “√°“√·æ∑¬å·ºπ‰∑¬·≈–°“√·æ∑¬å∑“߇≈◊Õ° ªï∑’Ë ˆ©∫—∫∑’Ë Û°—𬓬π-∏—𫓧¡ ÚııÒ

2 15
degrees of artistic intention to a wider audience. gaged in the art process.
There are other reasons to consider why art is 5. Art functions as a holding environment and
16
healing and therapeutic. The following brief outline transitional space that bridges internal and external
explicates other considerations for the therapeutic and realities thereby holding, within the language of art,
17
healing potentials of art: the widest spectrum of human affect.
18
1. Art allows for hidden internal experiences to Langer builds on these five therapeutic quali-
be seen outwardly. This reification or concretization ties of art by describing the drive to find accurate
7
of inner experience allows for inner emotional states esthetic language for feelings. For Langer, art was a
18
to be known and outwardly contemplated. practice of giving feeling to form. In fact, Langer
7
According to Langer, art enables one to objec- considered art the most accurate language for hu-
tify subjective experiences, and subjectify objective man emotion, as its primary function is to articulate

experiences within a unique framework for imaginal feelings through form. In part, this drive is satisfied
8
freedom. when truthful lines, shapes, colors, and textures, known
2
Also, according to Kramer, art fosters a sense as the elements of design, are utilized to contain and
of mastery as yet to be seen conflicts are re-experi- express human emotion. These elements serve as
enced, formed, concretized, viewed, and re-authored. the fundamental building blocks of artistic visual lan-
19
2. Art is a way to edit old behavioral patterns guage, or symbolic speech, which ultimately en-
and build, repair, and rehearse new behaviors. This ables the artist to give feelings structure and out-
18
new perspective fosters innovative views of a novel, ward appearance. Furthermore, these expressive
9
emerging self-image. Furthermore, these older be- elements of design, such as rough and smooth tex-
havioral patterns along with harsh inner critical mes- tures and warm and cool colors, are flexible enough
sages can be confronted and reworked through art. to contain and communicate the full range of human
3. Art is a way to make unconscious material emotion.
pre-conscious so that it is manifest, yet still veiled by It would seem then that there is a human drive
10
symbol and metaphor. to create, çto make special,é which is believed by
Art therefore allows for symbolic metaphoric com- some to be a hard-wired biological trait of the human
20
munication and dialogue with emotionally rich mate- species. The creative impulse, with its will to mani-
rial. Thus, art is a way to send oneself, as well as fest the unseen, has offered profound contributions
11
others, messages. It is a method that gives one to our collective cultural history. Throughout the ages,
permission to think out loud, as well as engage in an the arts have helped humankind to reconcile the end-
8 21
internal self-dialogue. less challenges intrinsic to the human condition.
Art also invites one to participate in the content Art therapists are addressing this inherent creative
of the creative process, such as Wallasû stages of prepa- drive as a form of medicine wherein imagination min-
12
ration, incubation, illumination and elaboration as isters to the deepest internal calling of people to strive
13 22
well as active and receptive states of doing/mani- for personal and cultural health.
8
festing and reflecting. Moreover, visual relationships of form and con-
4. Art initiates a process of subtle and overt tent, process and product, which directly relate to
23
forms of decision-making. Art therefore is evidence our inner sensations, is known as isomorphism. The
14
of an assertive act that requires cognitive, affective, notion of isomorphism, that external art forms are
and somatic layers of choice-making. The whole per- similar in structure to the inner state of the artist, is
son, including both hemispheres of the brain, is en- an important concept that helps to explain why art is