 |
 |
 |
 |
Finding the boundaries of useful art, craft and design
Artists,
if they were asked, and had they formed a view point, might well say that
they are artists because they express thier personal sensibilities and
their ethical position.
This variety of unique attitudes would undoubtedly include many absorbed
in the phsycological state of the artist. Art can, and often does, express
an uncomfortable state, it can also use challenging and nasty imagery.
There must be selection to serve the purpose of healthcare.
The work needs to be commissioned from those artists who support a sense
of well being in the human condition, though even the bleakest artists
may claim this, it is normally apparent. The problem is often less one
of decision about the quality of art object in question but of dealing
with the debate about freedom of expression for the artist and the ‘special
case’ circumstances each artist will argue for their own work. Many
lay members of arts steering groups will be resistant to the stye or form
new art takes, arguing that it will offend and unnerve the older members
of the community, I haven’t experienced this and think that it is
extremely unlikely. Often there is envigourating and sometimes amusing
debate about art that is challenging but I haven,t observed discomfort.
It takes time for original art to be accepted but this process is educational
and worthwhile, once accepted it makes a stronger contribution.
Crafts and design are brilliant in this context, when good, they contain
the superb values of careful making and thoughtful design, themselves
civilised and life-affirming. Designers and craftpeople work with the
users of their products, solving practical problems. If there is a problem
this is most likely to be a division of opinion within their consultation
group.
Arts therapists may see the project for arts integrated in the building
as an extension of arts therapy practice, this is deceiving whilst it
is is good for resolving individual health issues it often fails in a
public context. To ask amateur artists to solve complex visual tasks is
to make too much demand on them. It is the quality of the work which will
count in the end.
I wouldn’t advise more than 20% of any project is sourced for amateur
community members. Mental health, where service users possibly have a
long relationship with their health facility, benefits from this as it
establishes a sense of ownership. That is not to say that community art
shouldn’t be present in pictures on the walls or exhibitions. I
make this distinction only for site specific, integrated artworks.
back
to top of page