Co-creativity: possibilities for using the arts with people with a dementia

Abstract

Purpose-The purpose of this paper is to explore the concept of co-creativity in relation to artistic practice with people with a dementia. The aim of the discussion is to outline how co-creativity offers fresh approaches for engaging artists and people with dementia, can contribute to less restrictive understandings of "creativity" and above all, expand the understanding of people with a dementia as creative, relational and agential. Design/methodology/approach-In order to examine current conceptions of co-creativity and to inform the artistic practice, relevant literature was explored and eight expert interviews were conducted. The interviews were thematically analysed and are included here. Findings-This paper consequently demonstrates that improvisation, structure, leadership and equality are central elements of co-creative processes and outlines how co-creativity can offer fresh insights into the way in which the arts can engage people with a dementia, the relationship between creativity and dementia and the transformative potential of the co-creative arts for those living with a dementia. Research limitations/implications-The paper discusses some of the difficulties that are inherent a co-creative approach, including power relations and the limitations of inclusivity. Due to ethical restrictions, the paper is limited by not including the perspectives of people living with a dementia. Practical implications-This paper paves the way for future research into co-creative processes in a variety of different contexts. Social implications-A more nuanced understanding of co-creativity with people with dementia could challenge the dominant biomedical and social paradigms that associate "dementia" with irretrievable loss and decline by creating opportunities for creative agency. Originality/value-This exploration of co-creativity with people with dementia is the first of its kind and contributes to the wider understanding of co-creativity and co-creative practice.

Re-thinking and re-positioning ‘being in the moment’ within a continuum of moments: introducing a new conceptual framework for dementia studies

“…Recently, a growing body of literature has emerged relating to the everyday creativity of people living with dementia (Bellass et al 2018), drawing particularly from the notions of 'little-c' creativity (Simonton 2013;Silvia et al 2014). This focus on everyday creativity also incorporates ideas of 'being in the moment' with the person living with dementia positioned as an active, creative contributor to the artistic process, rather than as passive recipient of whatever task it is that he or she is being asked to perform (Zeilig, West and van der Byl Williams 2018). That said, whilst there has been a growth in work regarding 'being in the moment' in the context of dementia studies and care/interactive practices, the experience itself is currently lacking a definition and conceptual framework on which to build a consensus of understanding.…”

The Affective Creativity of a Couple in Dementia Care

“…In this sense, my fieldwork was collaborative in that participants as well as non-participants not only contributed to the research by way of co-presence and dwelling, but also performed their ordinary practices on their own terms and according to their own interests, and at their own speed (Fabian 2014 ). This ethnography is thus performative, reflexive and ethical, appreciating all subjects involved in the study including non-human beings, not only as participants but also as co-producers (Zeilig, West, and van der Byl Williams 2018 ; Swaffer 2016 ; Kontos et al 2015 ). Consequently, although non-participants remain anonymous throughout the study, without addressing their co-presence and dynamic “transmission of affect” (Brennan 2004 :3) I cannot demonstrate the whole lives of the participants.…”

Conceptualising and Understanding Artistic Creativity in the Dementias: Interdisciplinary Approaches to Research and Practise

“…Like artistic creativity in people with dementias “co-creativity” is a nascent concept that has yet to be fully theorised. Nonetheless the term is steadily gaining in popularity, indeed the closely allied phrase “co-creation” can be found in various contemporary media ( Zeilig et al, 2018 ). However, there is currently no agreed definition of co-creativity and therefore the concept itself remains somewhat indistinct.…”

“…Artistic co-creativity as theorised and practised with people with a dementia shares some similarity to the understandings offered by design and business, in particular the possibility that distinctions can be erased between the artist-producer and participant-artist ( Zeilig et al, 2018 ). Equally, the emphasis on the equal contribution of all involved is pertinent.…”