THEORETICAL ASPECTS

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THEORETICAL ASPECTS THEORETICAL

How architecture, along with art, can help remedy the problem?

Architecture is part of the seven fine arts, so perhaps architecture itself could be, together with art, a healing tool? Being the main concept of art therapy a triangular relationship between the patient, the work and the therapist; the South African architect Mantheki Karabo, in her dissertation: Holistic Therapy: The Antidote: Art and Architecture, likens this relationship to an architect’s thinking when designing a building. Turning this triangular relationship into:

The architect mentions that: “ We need to liberate the limits of the rules of the art and explore the therapeutic qualities that can enhance all of us. Art, whether in the perform ing arts (acting, dancing, singing), painting/sculpture, cooking, or even gardening is a form of meditation where the creator is in tune with their center. In this sense, art is a spirit that one unconsciously experiences with a sense of healing” (Karabo, 2011)46 . During her research, she searches for a relationship between the healing qualities of art and architecture as a healing space; the architect Karaba opts for the following key objectives when choosing a place and as concepts for the architectural intervention (Karabo, 2011) 47:

ARCHITECTURE

SOCIETY ART

46 Karabo Mafisa, Mantheki. (“Holistic Therapy: The Antidote: Art and Architecture.” Dissertation, 2011),

47 Karabo Mafisa, Mantheki. (“Holistic Therapy: The Antidote...”) Retrospect space, the space should be comfortable and a reflection of oneself.

The site must be part of the city, but at the same time it must be separated from the most trafficked areas, since these move at a very fast pace, causing a lot of noise. In the same way, the site must be able to connect with the public transport system, for easy access by people who are looking for a place for healing.

Connection with nature, a physical and visual link with nature has positive beneficial qualities that aid in healing and overall health.

Natural sunlight kills harmful bacteria and cleanses the air. Natural light gives a space a sensual character that gives the space an emotional quality that can be felt by the end user.

Our physical environment affects the way we feel and react. Considering that the spaces and places that appeal to the senses are remembered and become part of the user, the empty and deserted places in the city must be healed and given a target.

While the graduate in Fine Arts, Art Therapist and co-founder of ATE (Spanish Association of Art Therapy) Montse Omenat (2006)48 mentions that in art therapy practice as such, there is no specific space that meets all the appropriate conditions to provide these therapies. However, he affirms that the space should stimulate expressive behaviour, where patients are not afraid of staining the place and in which they can experiment and reflect. Omenat describes a closed space, so that “external attributions do not interfere in the creative process”, so this place must be conditioned with ventilation, have an adequate temperature and have inclusive furniture for all types of patients. The place must also have a materials cleaning area, a reception area, a space for exhibition or drying of works, and a storage area for both materials and works, as well as for clinical records. The studio should have two differentiated areas, one being for work and the other the space to exhibit and discuss the work done (López, 2009)49 . Art therapy can take place in a variety of settings, such as: art studios, community centers, hospitals, private therapy offices, wellness centers, shelters, and among others (Cherry, 2021)50. A (built) example of this is the Emily Cooper Welty Expressive Therapy Center located at Akron Children’s Hospital in Ohio, United States. The hospital uses visual arts and music to transform the clinical environment and create opportunities for children to express themselves and connect. Among the goals of these treatments within the hospital are: reducing the perception of pain, treating anxiety, social stimulation and promoting expression. Another example (design proposal) is the project that corresponds to an Art Therapy Center, the area chosen for this project is located in the municipality of Cruz Alta in the state of Rio Grande, Brazil. The center will promote a “therapeutic environment that would use artistic practices as a form of expression and treatment of psychological conflicts.” The author of this project, Alanna Göttens (2021)51, talks about the growing importance of maintaining mental health and how alternative therapeutic centers are increasingly necessary to meet this demand. When choosing a site, Göttens looks for the place to have easy access to the roads that connect to the largest medical centers. At the same time, look for the place to provide

48 Omenat García, M. (2006). Arteterapia: una experiencia de grupos de apoyo a mujeres. Arteterapia. Papeles de arteterapia y educación artística para la inclusión social, 1,137-148.https://revistas.ucm.es/index.php/ARTE/ article/view/ARTE0606110137A

49 López M. (2009). La intervención Arteterapeutica y su Metodología en el contexto profesional Español. Tesis Doctoral. Universidad de Murcia: Departamento de expresión plástica, música y dinámica. 50 Cherry, Kendra. (2021). “How Art Therapy Works.” Verywell Mind. https:// www.verywellmind.com/what-is-art-therapy-2795755#:~:text=Art%20 Therapy%20Can%20Take%20Place,Art%20studios.

51 Göttens Bigolin, Alanna. (2021) “Centro De Arteterapia.” Prêmio IAB RS, https://premioiabrs.org.br/projetos/centro-de-arteterapia/.

privacy, tranquility and should encourage contact with nature and the pure air. The center will function as an alternative therapeutic center, offering private and group sessions. It will also have outdoor areas with free access for visitors and indoor exhibition and rest areas (Göttens, 2021)52 . The idea of implementing these concepts is to get rid of the traditional stigmas of what healing spaces and hospitals should be like. Well, it has been proven that “a space can help heal or make people even sicker.” I understand that all of the aforementioned are concepts and principles that can be used to solve the problem of generating healing spaces focused on creative or alternative therapies. This being the objective of this research.

Emily Cooper Welty Expressive Therapy Center located at Children’s Hospital Akron in Ohio, United States.

Art Therapy Center, in the municipality of Cruz Alta in the state of Rio Grande, Brazil. Project by Alanna Göttens

Photo of https://www.akronchildrens.org/departments/Expressive-Therapy.html